New Product Development Tools Research Articles

Prediction of continuous cooling transformation diagrams in steels using light gradient boosting and rule-based optimization

ABSTRACT Continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagram is an indispensable tool for new product development in the steel industry and it is traditionally plotted via extensive thermomechanical studies. To reduce the cycle time of product development, a machine-learning model to predict the CCT of a new grade (chemistry and processing parameters) has been developed in this work. The idea is to have a holistic predictive model suitable for integrated steel manufacturing plant, instead of having many models for different class of material compositions. A wide range of data set is prepared to this effect and explored with multiple regression-based machine-learning models. Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM) demonstrates exceptional results amongst the rest, and it is topped off with a metallurgical constraint/correction-factor to obtain the final model. The model is validated against test data as well as against some well-established metallurgical correlations and is found to perform fairly well.

Development and implementation of a new product development course combining experiential learning, simulation, and a flipped classroom in remote learning

New product development (NPD) learning is considered essential for business students. Recent research emphasizes the need to design NPD courses that meet practical demands. Our study aims at creating a bridge between NPD learning and practice. We developed a new learning approach for teaching NPD courses, which combines remote learning, traditional and flipped classrooms, collaboration with startups, teamwork, and simulation-based training. This new approach was implemented in two classes of international business school students from universities that are members of the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM). The study found that the new learning approach helped business students understand NPD methodologies, tools, and techniques discussed during the course. This research also found that the collaboration helped some startups in their initial development phase. The results of this study shed light on how experiential learning and university-industry collaboration contributes to NPD courses and startups.

The impact of IT infrastructure capability on NPD performance: The roles of market knowledge and innovation process formality

Researchers and practitioners are increasingly considering Information Technology Infrastructure (ITI) capability as a competitive tool for New Product Development (NPD). However, current knowledge on how ITI capability influences NPD performance remains unclear, as the existing literature has neither developed nor empirically tested an explanation for how external knowledge and internal innovation processes impact the ‘ITI capability – NPD performance’ relationship. Therefore, we theorize and examine how ITI capability affects NPD performance taking into account market knowledge as a mediator and the innovation process formality as a moderator. We provide empirical evidence that ITI capability is not only directly and positively related to NPD performance, but also indirectly by means of market knowledge. The results further show that the innovation process formality weakens this relationship. Overall, this study extends the understanding of how ITI capability influences NPD performance and it can be helpful for managers who seek superior NPD performance.

An Overview of Current Challenges in New Food Product Development

New product development (NPD) is essential for business success and growth. High- to medium-technology manufacturing sectors have introduced standard models. The adaptation of these systematic NPD procedures supported by appropriate decision support tools has provided significant benefits in production cost, product quality and supply chain availability. However, the challenges involved in NPD of food are rapidly increasing due to consumer demand for organic and healthy diets, in particular, more nutritious low-calorie food, and preference for customised and personalised food products. This has resulted in a proliferation of new varieties, types and shapes of food products that are constantly introduced. Most of these new products are developed based on company-specific ad hoc NPD procedures, within small to medium enterprises that form the biggest proportion of food producers in most developed countries. This highlights a need for further research into novel NPD methods and tools in the food sector. This communication provides an overview of the NPD processes, analyses their strengths and shortcomings and outlines critical missing capabilities for food manufacturers in specific.

An integrated AHP-GTA approach for measuring effectiveness of quality tools and techniques

Modern organizations that wish to be successful and to achieve world-class manufacturing must possess both effective and efficient use of Quality tools and techniques (QT&T) for enhancing their performance. A large number of tools, techniques and systematic methodologies are being used in industries for enhancing their performance. Different tools and techniques have different perceived effect on quality improvement. Implementation of QT&T in different manufacturing organizations is not an easy task and requires a methodology to evaluate the effectiveness and intensity of individual QT&T. In the present exertion, various QT&T are grouped into six different categories namely, new product development tools (NPDT), decision making tools, data collection and analysis tools, lean tools, performance measurement tools and software tools which have been analyzed by using integrated multi-criteria decision making approach based on graph theoretic approach and analytic hierarchy process to measure the effectiveness of QT&T. This paper addresses NPDT tools are having high effectiveness and impact on manufacturing organization as obtained in the analysis.

NPD TOOLS, THOROUGHNESS AND PERFORMANCE IN SMALL FIRMS

This paper draws on survey data to clarify whether small high-technology firms benefit most from adopting greater numbers of new product development (NPD) tools to support NPD projects, or from using tools more thoroughly. This is an important issue given that small firms adopt NPD tools despite facing acute resource limitations and using informal processes. Prior studies of the performance impact of NPD tools have focused on large firms, and very few have assessed the performance impact of using NPD tools to higher levels of thoroughness.The paper covers tools across functional/technical and management/marketing aspects of NPD, and measures performance in process, product and market. We found that increasing the number of tools adopted did not measurably improve performance, in contrast to prior findings in larger firms. Instead, we found that firms obtained meaningfully improved NPD performance from using tools at higher average levels of thoroughness. Higher average thoroughness produced statistically significant performance benefits across seven of our nine performance measures. Our findings imply that small firms should emphasize selective but thorough and well-designed implementation of NPD tools.

Application of D‐optimal mixture design and fuzzy logic approach in the preparation of chhana podo (baked milk cake)

AbstractThis work is aimed at the use of D‐optimal mixture design to incorporate tikhur (Curcuma angustifolia Roxb.) starch instead of semolina in the preparation of chhana podo (baked milk cake). Quality parameters such as lightness, hardness, moisture content, oven spring, and specific volume were determined, and they were used for optimization of baking conditions. The product prepared from the optimized formulation of 19.2 parts of chhana (milk solids obtained by heat‐acid coagulation of milk at 90°C), 1.8 parts of tikhur starch, and 6 parts of sugar had 39.72% moisture content, 1.09 cm3/g specific volume, 22.43 mm oven spring, 66.37 lightness value, and 29.69 N hardness with desirability factor of 0.896. Further, chhana podo prepared by adding semolina two‐parts (control), one‐, two‐ and three‐parts of tikhur starch were compared for its sensory attributes using fuzzy logic approach. It was used to score the samples for ranking, and also to decipher the preference of the judges for the above quality parameters. Specimens 1, 2, and 3 were rated “Good” by the panelists while Specimen 4 was ranked “Satisfactory.” In general, texture was rated as the strongest quality indicator (Highly Important) for chhana podo with similarity value of 0.956. Moistness, color, and flavor had identical similarity values, and were classed as “Important.”Practical applications Chhana podo is a milk cake that is prepared by blending of heat‐acid coagulated milk solids, sugar and semolina into dough, and baking it. Fuzzy analysis, which involves linguistic expression of sensory quality, was used in combination with mixture design to optimize the ingredient composition. Semolina was replaced with tikhur (Curcuma angustifolia Roxb.) starch by using D‐optimal mixture design without any influence on end product quality. Combining fuzzy analysis with mixture design proved to be a good tool for new product development.

Lean and green approach: An evaluation tool for new product development focused on small and medium enterprises

SMEs are crucial for economic health in both high and low-income economies worldwide. In Brazil, they are responsible for around 50% of the national GDP. However, SMEs face considerable barriers such as difficulties in financing international activity, identifying opportunities and making appropriate contacts in their target markets. This paper investigates the adherence of both lean and green practices for the development of new products (NPD), as means to improve their efficiency (lean perspective) and manufacture environment-friendly products (green perspective). Through a systemic review, we present 16 lean and green enablers for NPD operations. These elements comprise a structure of building blocks to evaluate lean and green practices. Thus, we propose a model that ranks the incidence of these practices regardless of the NPD organization level. Using two MCDM tools: AHP and fuzzy-TOPSIS, each enabler is evaluated considering the SMEs context in Brazil. Firstly, AHP defines the relative importance of six SMEs' characteristics. Secondly, we applied an expansion of the TOPSIS technique, adequate when the values of each alternative are not clearly determined. Therefore, we organized a structured interview consisting of 96 evaluation questions for NPD stakeholders. We carried out this diagnosis in three companies from southern Brazil, analysing their NPD operations, which is useful to establish a future improvement agenda.

Patterns and Drivers of NPD Tool Adoption in Small High-Technology Firms

In this paper, we set out the drivers and patterns of adoption of new product development (NPD) tools in small high-technology firms. Despite previous findings that using NPD tools can improve NPD performance outcomes, surveys of large firms show reluctance to make full use of such tools. Our study is the first to look at NPD tool adoption in small high-technology firms. We draw on survey data from 99 firms in New Zealand, covering 76 NPD tools, including both functional and support tools, and tools from nontechnical aspects of NPD, such as the market perspective. The firms in our sample adopted fewer tools overall than studies report for larger firms, and fewer complex tools, but adopted just as many simple tools such as brainstorming, competitor analysis, project management, and alpha prototype. The firms typically did not have formalized NPD processes, but those that did also adopted more NPD tools. We found no significant differences in tool adoption by the level of project novelty to the firm or between industrial and consumer products. We conclude by discussing the case for small firms to formalize their NPD processes and to adopt a greater number and range of NPD tools.

Lean design for Six Sigma

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to discuss new product development (NPD) based on a traditional stage-gate process and to examine how NPD tools, such as Lean design for Six Sigma, can accelerate the achievement of the main goals of NPD: reliable product quality, cost-effective implementation, and desired time-to-market. These new tools must be incorporated into a new approach to NPD based on the Advanced Product and Quality Planning methodology.Design/methodology/approach– This research paper is based on the theoretical background presented in peer-reviewed scientific research papers during the period 1990-2012. In the second section of this study, the author provides examples of the proposed tools and of advanced techniques to show evidence that validates the hypothesis.Findings– This study presented the theoretical background on the NPD process and related functions in today’s organizations as it relates to competition. NPD was identified as one of the top priorities of every firm, which is why the NPD process must be optimized and oriented toward customers to ensure the quality and reliability of products while minimizing manufacturing costs. The effect on timing and cost is greatly appreciated by top management, and it is well known throughout the firm when a strong, reliable product is launched that it is flawless.Research limitations/implications– To fully deploy all NPD tools requires basic steps such as the following: marketing and planning, design, process, product process validation and the integration of operations from a concurrent engineering standpoint.Practical implications– This research paper provides step by step guidance in order to apply Lean Sigma tool in NPD process in order to achieve Six Sigma quality level in manufacturing.Social implications– Promoting the practice of Lean design for Six Sigma and its tool enables firms to increase their competitiveness since they will make more reliable products delivered to its consumers.Originality/value– The approach of this research paper combines proven statistical tools to be applied in an original sequence in order to design robust product to match manufacturing capabilities.

A modified lead-user approach for new product development: an illustration from the US of a marketing research tool for the forest industry

Innovation is critical for firm success, including forest sector firms. However, historically forest sector firms have focused on process over product innovations. Additionally, research shows that forest sector firms often fail to have a structured new product development (NPD) process. The purpose of this work is to illustrate use of the lead-user method to identify user-lead ideas for innovation within the wood-window value chain, thereby demonstrating the potential of a modified lead-user approach as a NPD tool for the forest industry. Personal interviews with 22 individuals were conducted with sales agents, installation experts, homebuilders, and architects. Findings outline opportunities for the introduction of new products/services, thereby demonstrating the value of relying on lead-users for identifying potential products. This study also highlights the challenges associated with the lead-user methodology, including the varying definitions of a lead-user and the subjective nature of categorising someone as a lead-user.

Reliability and validity of new product development practices in Indian manufacturing industries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to conduct an empirical investigation on the new product development (NPD) practices in Indian manufacturing industries. The NPD best practices constructs are identified from the literature and then an effort have been made to statistically establish the underlying principal components of NPD practices by checking their reliability and validity for the case of Indian manufacturing industry. Design/methodology/approach – In all, 96 NPD best practices constructs are identified from literature articles published between 1998 and 2009. Principal component analysis (PCA) is conducted to establish the seven components of NPD practices. Cronbach's α values are computed to measure internal consistency or reliability of the established components of NPD practices. Further, confirmatory factor analysis is conducted on the established measurement model to test a hypothesized factor structure through construct validity, convergent validity and divergent validity. Findings – The PCA of NPD best practices identified the seven underlying components (latent variables) namely “NPD strategy,” “NPD support system,” “product portfolio management,” “NPD team,” “NPD tools,” “product launch” and “concept generation.” In NPD strategy, Indian manufacturing companies are highly inclined toward cost reduction, cycle time reduction, competitive advantage and fast follower strategies. All NPD support system constructs are information technology dependent tools which require hardware, software and databases to support it. Indian manufacturing organizations are fundamentally concentrating on right balance of portfolio through improvements in the current products, cost reduction and additions to existing lines by using modular architectures and the reliable and valid NPD tools are FMEA, six sigma/quality management, DFMA/DF’X and QFD. Originality/value – To the best of the author's knowledge, this research represents the first attempt to investigate empirically the NPD practices in Indian manufacturing industry.

Multibody modelling of a TB31 and a TB32 crash test with vertical portable concrete barriers: Model verification and sensitivity analysis

In this article the multibody simulation software package MADYMO for analysing and optimizing occupant safety design was used to model crash tests for Normal Containment barriers in accordance with EN 1317. The verification process was carried out by simulating a TB31 and a TB32 crash test performed on vertical portable concrete barriers and by comparing the numerical results to those obtained experimentally. The same modelling approach was applied to both tests to evaluate the predictive capacity of the modelling at two different impact speeds. A sensitivity analysis of the vehicle stiffness was also carried out. The capacity to predict all of the principal EN1317 criteria was assessed for the first time: the acceleration severity index, the theoretical head impact velocity, the barrier working width and the vehicle exit box. Results showed a maximum error of 6% for the acceleration severity index and 21% for theoretical head impact velocity for the numerical simulation in comparison to the recorded data. The exit box position was predicted with a maximum error of 4°. For the working width, a large percentage difference was observed for test TB31 due to the small absolute value of the barrier deflection but the results were well within the limit value from the standard for both tests. The sensitivity analysis showed the robustness of the modelling with respect to contact stiffness increase of ±20% and ±40%. This is the first multibody model of portable concrete barriers that can reproduce not only the acceleration severity index but all the test criteria of EN 1317 and is therefore a valuable tool for new product development and for injury biomechanics research.

Autonomous Teams and New Product Development

An autonomous team is an emerging tool for new product development (NPD). With its high degree of autonomy, independence, leadership, dedication, and collocation, the team has more freedom and stronger capabilities to be innovative and entrepreneurial. Several anecdotal cases suggest that autonomous teams are best when applied to highly uncertain, complex, and innovative projects. However, there is no empirical study to test such a notion. Moreover, autonomous teams are not a panacea, and implementing them can be costly and disruptive to their parent organization. When should this powerful, yet costly tool, be pulled out of the new product professional's toolbox? This paper attempts to answer this question.The objective of this study is to explore under which circumstances an autonomous team is the best choice for NPD. Based on contingency and information‐processing theories, autonomous teams are hypothesized to be more effective to address projects with: (1) high technology novelty and (2) radical innovation. To test these hypotheses, the relative effectiveness of four types of team structures: autonomous, functional, lightweight, and heavyweight are compared. The effectiveness measures include development cost, development speed, and overall product success. Vision clarity, resource availability, and team experience are the controlled variables.The empirical results based on the data from 555 NPD projects generally support the research hypotheses. Relative to other team structures, autonomous teams are more effective in addressing projects with high technology novelty or radical innovation. The results also suggest that heavyweight teams perform better than other teams in developing incremental innovation. These results provide some evidence to support contingency and information‐processing theories at the project level. Given the importance of the development of novel technology and radical innovation in establishing new businesses and other strategic initiatives, the findings of this study may not only have some important implications for NPD practices but may also shed some light on other important topics such as disruptive innovation, strategic innovation, new venture, corporate entrepreneurship, and ambidextrous organization.

Product development: An integrative tool and activity research framework

The paper addresses research issues in new product development (NPD) activity, practices and tools, in particular the need to integrate the set of tools practitioners use with the praxis of how they use these tools in day-to-day activity. It draws on the strategy-as-practice literature to derive a model that integrates the concepts of NPD practices, practitioners and praxis. It then draws on a systematic review and synthesis of existing NPD literature to develop a generic multi-stage, 12-perspective organizing framework for NPD activity, and provides examples from the literature of twelve corresponding classes of NPD tools. The literature currently lacks such a framework and hence uses individually defined schemes, resulting in a fragmented and incomplete picture. We have designed our generic framework so that it can both integrate existing findings and stimulate research that overcomes this fragmentation. We use the framework and our model of NPD practitioners, practices and project execution to articulate a comprehensive set of research challenges in NPD tool adoption and use. Our 12-perspective framework could also provide a basis for practitioners to develop or redesign NPD processes for specific situations and purposes.

One Hundred Years of Progress in Food Analysis

Food and agricultural products comprise complex and diverse chemical mixtures that historically have presented challenges for assessing food safety, nutrient content, stability, and sensory qualities. The analysis of food composition has significantly evolved over the past 100 years, progressing from reliance on predominantly "wet chemistry" laboratory methods from the early to mid-20th century to their gradual replacement by modern instrumental techniques. Pioneering developments in pH instruments, spectrophotometry, chromatography/separations, and spectrometry often had immediate applications to food analysis. Continuous improvements in methodology over this period have led to significant enhancements in analytical accuracy, precision, detection limits, and sample throughput, thereby expanding the practical range of food applications. The growth and infrastructure of the modern global food distribution system heavily relies on food analysis-beyond simple characterization-as a tool for new product development, quality control, regulatory enforcement, and problem-solving.

Modeling of the fracture mechanism of HDPE subjected to environmental stress crack resistance test

AbstractEnvironmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) is a commonly used test to characterize cracking failure of high‐density polyethylene in applications such as wires, cables, blow molded containers, and other rigid packaging applications. From a resin design standpoint, it is important to understand the mechanism of environmental stress cracking especially in the case of materials with significantly different ESCR values. Currently, two standard ESCR tests, ASTM D1693 and ASTM F2136, are commonly accepted to measure environmental stress crack resistance of HDPE. An accurate observation of ESC is important to understand the fracture mechanism of samples. In this study, the ESCR performance of six HDPE samples was determined per ASTM D1693. The failed specimens were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy and fractographic methodology to investigate the failure mechanism. HDPE resins with low ESCR values had crack surfaces characterized by shorter and fewer fibrils. A new empirical model to predict polymer ESCR using tie chain concentration with different integration range, and water vapor transmission rate, to characterize detergent diffusion in the crack, was developed. The proposed empirical parameter improves the prediction of ESCR. The ability to predict ESCR performance from resin properties is a beneficial tool for new product development. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers

Performance improvement in new product development with effective tools and techniques adoption for high-tech industries

Utilization of appropriate tools and techniques in the process of new product development (NPD) can assist firms to achieve better performances in launching new products. However, in practice, many useful tools and techniques are not utilized effectively. This study undertakes an in-depth empirical investigation of the appropriate tools or techniques that can be used at each stage of the NPD process. The study also analyzes the impact of individual tools or techniques both on overall NPD performance and on individual performance indicators within the process. The study finds that several NPD tools and techniques (for example, DOE, FMEA/DFMEA, and supplier involvement) have a significant effect on the overall performance of NPD and on a number of performance indicators, but that their utilization is not especially high. In addition, the study finds that DFX, conjoint analysis, and concept test, which also have a significant effect on NPD performance, are relatively neglected by the firms. The study provides valuable guidance to firms in using such tools and techniques more appropriately and effectively.

Development of a Conceptual Framework for Lean New Product Development Process

Traditional product development processes have inherent weaknesses and take a lot of time. On an average, it takes around 3?4 years for organisations to come up with a new product. According to the A.T. Kearney study, around 50% of the costs incurred in product development tend to be spent on wastes that occur during the New Product Development (NPD) process. In recent years organisations have seen great strides in improving their competitive position through wastes reduction by reorienting their manufacturing around the Lean Manufacturing (LM) philosophy. A literature review revealed that researchers have started applying LM principles to the NPD process, which they call as 'Lean New Product Development (LNPD)' and are inundating the literature with topics like wastes in NPD process, tools and techniques for LNPD, barriers in achieving LNPD etc. But no literature is available to provide a step by step approach in the form of a systematic framework to make the existing NPD process leaner. Hence in this paper, an attempt has been made to develop a conceptual framework, which will provide necessary guidelines for the organisations to make their NPD process leaner. A case study has been discussed in support of the proposed framework.

The Application of New Product Development Tools in Industry: The Case of Singapore

Literature suggests that new product development (NPD) is critical for industrial firms to gain a competitive advantage. Intriguingly, the systematic application of NPD tools in industry, despite the extensive effort that has been invested and the benefits that can be obtained, remains mostly uncommon. By conducting ten semi-structured interviews with selected academics and industrialists and using a sample of 67 industrial firms in Singapore for questionnaire survey, this empirical study investigates the diffusion and adoption of NPD tools in industry. It also probes the factors which may affect the application of NPD tools. Our findings reveal that the application of NPD tools is still under-exploited in most of the industrial companies in Singapore. Although the application of NPD tools is affected by many factors, the most significant are management support in the company and the innovativeness orientation of the company. Surprisingly, we found that the usefulness of tools has little influence on whether a tool is adopted or not