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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
61

New Product Forecasting with Structured Analogy Method in the Fashion Industry : Case Studies with the Fashion Footwear Products

Torlakcik, Tugce January 2015 (has links)
Fashion and the contemporary environment as a whole, is a complex environment that requires retailers and wholesalers to adapt to the changes that constantly occurring. This adaptation is in a bid to ensure that more profits than loses are realized by the company. For this reason, companies have to use various methods to determine the best ways to improve their products. Companies resolve to introduction of new product to the market but the acceptance of new products to the fashion industry is not an assured factor but rather a gamble. This is mainly because of the industry’s characteristics. The main aim of this thesis is to analyze the methods that may be used to improve the accuracy of new products. The fashion industry has characteristics that may be considered as challenges because for instance, when a product is launched, one has to determine whether it is by a reputable designer or whether it is a trend, and with the fashion industry, trends are mainly turned into such by celebrities who introduce a certain design to the world for adoption. These challenges or characteristics are carefully analyzed and examined with the necessity of the introduction of new products analyzed. Data collection, being the main backbone of this thesis and multiple-case study method, is used to answer the research question as “How can structured analogy method be used to improve the forecast accuracy for the footwear products in the fashion industry “.Samples for case study have been chosen from footwear category. Structured analogy method is used to determine the accuracy of the information gathered from literature review.
62

New Product Development Process Goes Global : A qualitative study of rethinking traditional concepts

Darasteanu, Cristian, Moskalenko, Maria January 2010 (has links)
We live in a time of globalization. People and events of one country often impact other countries. The term “globalization” became one of the main characteristics of today‟s world. Countries perceive themselves not only as separate nations but also as parts of the global world. On other hand, new product development field is a complex process that is vital for companies‟ growth and success. Today, in terms of globalization, success of the product can be judged by its performance on the global market. Reduction of trade barriers and duty, development of new technologies and communication channels and other factors cause a trend towards development of the global market. In such conditions, a challenging task of new product development becomes even more challenging. It transforms into a new process that aims to take advantages of global opportunities and increase efficiency and effectiveness of new products.The new product development theory is quite a researched field. Numerous studies were conducted in the field of global strategies as well. These two concepts, however, were always investigated separately and just little research has been conducted about the joint topic. There are no studies that analyze the new product development process in global companies. Brentani, Kleinschmidt and Salomo (2010) argue though that global company strategy, corporate global culture and global innovation strategy affects the new product development process that is conducted by global companies. Thus we can find a research gap in contemporary literature that studies the global development process in global companies. Thereby the purpose of the current research is to investigate and integrate diverse knowledge about this process and global company strategy. It contributes to the contemporary knowledge about the new product development process by adding global perspective to this concept. Moreover, the current study can provide a framework for companies that can be considered during the process of development of new products for the global market.Our research, therefore, aims to answer the research question: How is the new product development (NPD) process run in global companies: what are the differences with the traditional NPD model and by whom and how is this process managed?By conduction of qualitative interviews and content analysis of gathered data, the new product development process was investigated in three global companies. Further, relevant theories about new product development and global company strategy and gathered data were analyzed together. Based on this comprehensive analysis a new improved model was suggested for the new product development process in global companies. Besides this, managerial issues of this process were investigated as well and some propositions were developed.
63

Divisionalization, product cannibalization and product location choice: Evidence from the U.S. automobile industry

Jeong, Eui Kyo 30 September 2004 (has links)
This study argues that a firm's product location choice may be a function of the firm's way of splitting the product market (i.e., divisionalization) and the concern for product cannibalization at the division and the firm levels. The focus of this study is at the division level and a division's new product location choice vis-à-vis its own products (intra-divisional new product distance), the products of a rival division of competing firms (inter-firm divisional new product distance), and the products of a sister division of the same firm (intra-firm divisional new product distance). The hypotheses were tested using data on the U.S. automobile industry between 1979 and 1999. The results show that a focal division with a high level of inter-firm divisional domain overlap with a rival division, relative to the focal division's own domain, is more likely to locate its new product (here new car model) closer to that rival's existing car models. And it was also found that divisional density affects a division's new product location choice. But this study didn't find any significant role of divisional status on new product location choice. And contrary to our expectation, the results of intra-firm divisional domain overlap and new product location choice suggest that inter-divisional product cannibalization might not be such an important concern when divisions introduce their new products, as we had originally expected. By addressing the firm's competitive engagement in the context of a division's new product location choice, this study expands the basic logic of market overlap at the firm level into the unit- or division-level, and highlights how a division's new product location choice is affected by intra-firm divisional structural relationship as well as interfirm divisional structural relationship. In so doing, this study hopes to contribute to the literature on divisionalization, new product location choice, competition at the unit-level, and product cannibalization, among others.
64

A case study on new product development and the new product process in residential property development.

Maritz, Morne. January 2004 (has links)
The purpose of this study is to provide a glimpse into the New Product Development (NPD) Process as it is being utilised within the context of the residential property development industry in South Africa. The main objective in undertaking this study was to gain an insight into a process that has so far not received much attention from the a,cademic world despite the fact that it is a process that has recently become an important creator of wealth for many South Africans. The case study research design was chosen, because it provides an ideal vehicle for conducting preliminary studies into a specific subject that has not received much attention before. The nature of the case study approach allows for much more in-depth and broader investigation than would be possible in a quantitative study. The specific case under review (SajDev (Pty) Ltd) was chosen, because of the company's involvement in the entire spectrum of the residential property development industry in South Africa. In addition, the company showed an openness and willingness to share its experiences and processes that is not usually found in this particular industry. Most importantly, the company offered the author the opportunity to work for them in order to gain the necessary first hand experience and knowledge that would be needed to do the study. The company also arranged for the author to gain access to all of their professional team members and to all of their internal documents in order to assist with the research. From a technical point of view, the study involved the following basic steps. First, a generic model of NPD was identified and unpacked. Next, the specific process used by SajDev was identified and analysed, after which specific recommendations were made on how the process could be improved. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.
65

An investigation into the economic potential of hypericum production in Northern Natal.

De Jager, Ian. January 2003 (has links)
Hypericum is a most useful and versatile cut flower which within the last ten years has gained significant economic importance, recently having been included in the top fifty cut flowers on the Dutch Auctions. This study has investigated the cultural requirements of the crop, focusing on the following; propagation, insect and disease control, fertilisation, crop manipulation, marketing of the finished product, business theory and the interpretation of business theory. Propagation and multiplication techniques were investigated in order to reduce the reliance of external seedling growers and in so doing reducing the start up costs ofthe project. Insect and disease control were investigated as the import requirements for many countries are stringent. Contamination of the finished product results in the cargo being rejected at the port of entry. Insect and disease infestation reduce the quality and subsequently the return that is generated from the project. Fertilisation plays an important role in producing high quality sterns. Failure to fertilise the crop at the correct stage results in quality degradation, or additional expenditure on labour to groom the plants. Crop manipulation was investigated for the purpose of supplying crop into the market place on a sustained basis, ensuring optimal utilisation of resources whilst building customer loyalty. Product marketing plays an integral role in determining the success of a venture. Markets were evaluated in order to determine which markets would yield the greatest return on investment. Chapter three deals with various business theories that may be applied to the data and observations. Chapter four integrates business theory with the data and observations in an attempt to gain a meaningful picture of the economic potential of this proposed venture. The last chapter deals with a proposed strategy that the company should follow, having evaluated and integrated the business theory, data and observations. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.
66

Key success factors of a telecommunications solution provider's new product development strategy.

Gengan, Theenasagree. January 2002 (has links)
An understanding of the key success factors of New Product Development Strategy remains obscure for many organisations in the dynamic telecommunications industry. As managers recognise the heightened importance of innovation to competitive success, they face an apparent paradox: the orderly and predictable decisions on which a business rests depend increasingly on the disorderly and unpredictable process of new product development. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the key success factors of a telecommunications solution provider's new product development strategy and to explore the relationship between these key factors. The company was studied from two levels. The strategic level focussed on the corporate strategy, the role of management, organisational structure and organisational culture; while the project level concentrated on the NPD process, the staff involved and the information needed for NPD success. The relationship between the two levels was also investigated in relation to the company's NPD strategy. The results of this study showed that there is a very close relationship between the factors and that problems with one factor affect another. Whilst much research has been conducted in each of these areas independently, very few researchers in the field integrate all the different factors. The findings revealed that the company under investigation had more problems at the strategic level than at the project level. The strategic issues were found to be the basis of problems identified at the project level. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2002.
67

New Product Development: a Study of the Adoption, Usage and Impact of Tools Among Small High Technology Firms.

de Waal, Gerrit Anton January 2011 (has links)
This thesis reports on the associations between a variety of factors related to the adoption and use of 76 well-known new product development (NPD) tools on NPD performance at the project level in small high technology firms. The specific factors of interest are determinants of tool adoption, tool diffusion, thoroughness of use, flexibility of use, tool adaptation, user familiarity with tools, and tool satisfaction. An invitation-only online survey was administered to 99 organisations fitting the criteria of this study to determine patterns of tool adoption and use. A variety of inferential statistical techniques was used to analyse the data. The results show lesser tool adoption patterns in comparison with larger firms elsewhere, with the majority of tools not used to their full potential. It furthermore provides useful insights into usage and performance attributes of tools, individually and collectively. Of significance is that a greater uptake of tools may not necessarily lead to increased NPD performance; instead, it is the degree of thoroughness of implementation that shows a direct association with performance improvements. The survey findings were followed up with in-depth case studies of five firms to investigate and explain observed phenomena, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of tool practices at the project level. The results show that practitioners’ tool needs change during the life of a project and become more sophisticated as the firm matures. They also explain why some tools are thoroughly used, and others not. The findings of this research have implications for both theory and practice. Theoretically, this study introduces different models and categories of tools and explains how their use can achieve a better overall understanding of tool application. Practically, the results provide managers and practitioners with several useful tool guides, benchmarking tables and models to aid in the selection and use of tools in NPD projects of any type.
68

Portfolio performance management in new product development : examining the influence of Feedforward anticipatory control on portfolio value and strategic alignment

Baker, Mark 09 1900 (has links)
The organization I work in has 13 subsidiary businesses operating in the branded footwear and apparel industry. The industry currently faces significant macroeconomic and industry challenges. One of our biggest challenges is how to avoid excessive and wasteful new product development whilst still building an attractive range of products for the customer. So the focus of my research is on the management control and governance of the New Product Development (NPD) process to solve a pressing business problem. However, there is a gap in the literature. Many authors have claimed that our knowledge of the governance of NPD processes is incomplete and there is a dearth of actual studies in this area. My literature review looked at management control and in particular at the enduring problem of the need to generate control without stifling creativity. The literature led me to focus on the use of feedforward controls to influence NPD management teams to improve portfolio value and strategic alignment whilst simultaneously encouraging NPD experimentation. During this research I developed the concept of Feedforward Anticipatory Control (FAC), which encompasses the combination of feedforward control and double-loop learning. From this start my research question became “How does the use of FAC influence NPD management teams to improve portfolio value and strategic alignment?” From theory and my initial case study research I developed, tested and refined a tool for ascertaining the level of FAC sophistication in use by NPD teams in their development process. The tool was then used in action research interventions to help the teams develop their sophistication in the use of FAC. The tool was found to be useable, useful and have value. The action research case studies were embedded in a case study protocol to ensure the rigour of my research. This involved developing a framework to investigate the consequences of my interventions, in terms of both hard performance metrics and softer team perceptions. The contribution is in the use of management controls in NPD. The findings show that different levels of FAC sophistication can be applied in NPD and that the use of higher levels of FAC influences NPD teams to improve portfolio value and strategic alignment. The contribution to practice is an intervention “toolkit” that can influence NPD teams to develop higher levels of FAC sophistication and generate improvements in NPD portfolio performance.
69

Improving the new product development process

Stockton, D. J. January 1983 (has links)
A system has been developed and is being used at H. M. -Ltd. for estimating the labour and overhead costs of components manufactured by a wide variety of production processes. The system uses multiple linear regression analysis to develop estimating equations that quantitatively measure the relationship between the production time of a component and the factors that influence this time. Production times can then be converted to cost using appropriate labour and overhead cost rates. The system uses design features only for predictor variables in the estimating equations. Hence designers with little concept of manufacturing methods can use the system to cost designs as they evolve. This feature therefore provides designers with a powerful cost optimization tool. The manufacturing time data used to develop estimating equations represents current operating conditions at Herbert Morris Ltd. Hence the estimated times can be used directly as standard times for the planning and control of manufacturing. In this way manufacturing costs will be directly linked to the design features of a product. Software has been developed to allow a computer to retrieve appropriate equations and compute the production times and costs of components. This software could form the basis for a larger system that also generates producibility data for designers. A method of allowing designers to estimate the development times for individual components and assemblies has been developed. This facility enables the design process to be scheduled such that the overall new product development time could be minimized. An important element of this scheduling method is the ability to allocate resources between components to be designed on the basis of relative cost and importance to. the overall success of the project.
70

Diffusion challenges for innovation in technology-intensive industries

Steinheber, Juergen January 2016 (has links)
Many innovations fail on the market. Non-adoption and slow diffusion represent a high risk for companies in technology-intensive industries when looking to innovate, develop, market and launch a new technology. Its diffusion in the market is a major challenge for marketing. The consequence of a failed market introduction can be financial and reputational loss. Diffusion of innovation research shows a short-coming of researching barriers and challenges which prevent new technologies from being successful. This research sheds some light in the diversity, importance and existence of barriers for the diffusion of innovation. The originality of this investigation is a mixed-methods approach to explore barriers and challenges for the diffusion of innovation. An exploratory qualitative research is performed on the unique case of digital radio diffusion in Germany. Barriers evolve by this method in addition to barriers, which so far are described in a theoretical framework. These barriers are researched empirically via an international survey with close to one thousand participants representing experienced practitioners in marketing and sales positions from different industries. Various research findings are presented. The evolving barriers are researched and show circumstances of today, such as the dominance of internet, environmental awareness or the importance of inter-industrial collaboration. Additionally, diffusion barriers from a theoretical framework are tested with empirical data. Findings are presented as evidence for diffusion barriers and their importance for the specific example of digital radio is explained. Furthermore, barriers are also generalized for different technology-intensive industries. The existence of barriers is confirmed by empirical data and patterns of variations are outlined. Validity is achieved via triangulation of methodologies and supporting literature. The findings are presented to extend the theoretical framework and to close a gap in diffusion of innovation theory. The research contributes in very different ways to existing knowledge. Apart from the theoretical contributions, methodological and practical contributions are also made. With quantitative research, the sampling strategy for an online questionnaire considers the benefits of professional social networks on a global level to contribute empirical data to a theoretical framework. The practical contribution is directed to industry stakeholders and practitioners such as in marketing. The research findings result in a framework of barriers and supporting illustrations for technology-intensive industries. Practitioners can benefit from the illustrations for strategic decision-making in business development, product and general management, marketing and sales.

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