<p>Given today’s industry dynamics, new service development is becoming increasingly important to the competitiveness, growth, and survival of organizations. Unfortunately, new service development has proven to be a complex and difficult task. Numerous reasons are stated in the literature such as the difficulty of understanding and anticipating latent customer needs and insufficient market research techniques. To facilitate proactive learning about the customer, recent findings stress customer involvement in the development process and observations of customers in real action.</p><p>The overall objective of the dissertation is to contribute to an increased knowledge of customer involvement, i.e., the role of customers as contributors and co-creators in new service development. The thesis draws on theory from market and learning orientation in conjunction with a service-centered model, and provides an extensive review of literature on customer involvement in innovation. In five separate studies, this doctor’s thesis addresses the customer’s role in innovation activities in various industries (e.g., Staffing Services, Airline Services, and Mobile Telecommunication services).</p><p>In this thesis it is argued that interaction is not only the focal point of services, but also the essence of customer involvement. A special emphasis is put on supporting techniques as these are the means by which customer information and knowledge are created. In addition, results are provided showing that customer involvement in innovation pays off. Companies that engage in collaborative innovation with customers can expect improved customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, and profit margin.</p>

This article investigates the practical application of open innovation principles within industrial new product development (NPD). Previous research on open innovation has primarily focused on the notion as such and not yet on how to integrating the principles of open innovation with well- established models for NPD. We aim to help close this knowledge gap. The purpose of this study is to explore how firms can benefit from opening up the NPD process by integrating the principles of open innovation with the well-known and widespread Stage-Gate model. To do this, previous literature is studied in combination with case study data investigating the existing occurrences and potential opportunities of employing the principles of open innovation within NPD at a firm within the upstream Oil &amp;amp; Gas business. Our empirical study shows that there are great virtues in the systematization of the already occasionally occurring open innovation practices. Additionally, a noticeable desire to pursue a more open approach to NPD was identified among the respondents. The results of this study allowed the enactment of a practitioner-oriented work model which exploits the advantages of “openness” while simultaneously capturing the benefits deriving from the systematic and structured approach implied by the Stage- Gate model. Furthermore, by opening up the Stage-Gate model, yet another opportunity is exposed: to allow the work model to facilitate a systematic adjustment of the way value is created and captured within the company (I.e. its business model and its underlying core capabilities) to the external environmental dynamics. This aspect is further included in the new work model. The main implications of this study are that is indicates great opportunities and possibilities in opening up the NPD process. It further introduces an easy applicable work model that facilitates the opening. Moreover, our results apply not only to firms within the Oil &amp;amp; Gas industry, but to all NPD processes where a Stage-Gate methodology is employed. / <p>Validerat; 20101217 (root)</p>

Um dos grandes desafios das empresas para maximizarem sua capacidade de inovação, necessidade preemente nos dias atuais, é o desenvolvimento de mecanismos que proporcionem a obtenção da complementaridade de competências entre duas ou mais empresas (MOFFAT; GERWIN; MEISTER, 1997). Entre estes mecanismos encontram-se as alianças estratégicas para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos, fenômeno relativamente recente e que já pode ser considerado como tendência nas decisões de pesquisa e desenvolvimento (P&D). O foco do presente trabalho é a análise destas alianças estratégicas, através do estudo da teoria já existente, fazendo surgir reflexões importantes e gerando novas contribuições. O escopo do estudo é, sem dúvida, a questão organizacional, em uma visão macro, permitindo uma análise sistêmica do fenômeno. Muitos trabalhos trazem separadamente temas acerca das alianças estratégicas para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos. Surge com isso, como conseqüência, a oportunidade de estruturação desses elementos, aparentemente dispersos, em uma síntese teórica ou estrutura conceitual, o que possibilita uma compreensão mais profunda do tema. Além disso, é feita uma organização e estudo das variáveis existentes no fenômeno para contribuir com as decisões acerca da forma organizacional mais adequada às alianças / One of the great challenges of the companies to maximize its capability of innovation, an urgent necessity in current days, is the development of mechanisms that allow the complementing of competences between two or more companies (MOFFAT; GERWIN; MEISTER, 1997). One of these mechanisms is the strategic alliances for new product development, a relatively recent phenomenon and one that already can be considered as a trend in research and development (R&D) decisions. The focus of the present work is the analysis of these strategic alliances, through the study of the existing theory, causing important reflections to emerge and generating new contributions. The scope of the study is, with no doubt, the organizational problem, in a macro viewpoint, which makes possible a systemic analysis of the phenomenon. Many papers separately bring subjects concerning the strategic alliances for new product development. That brings the opportunity to structure these elements, apparently dispersed, in a theoretical synthesis or conceptual structure, which makes possible a deeper understanding of the subject. Moreover, the existing variables in the phenomenon are studied and organized, so that this contributes to arrive at the decisions concerning the most suitable organizational format for the alliances.

Esta pesquisa investigou quatro empresas multinacionais brasileiras em busca de suas práticas na gestão do portfólio de projetos de novos produtos. Por meio de um estudo multicaso, a pesquisa abrangeu diversos aspectos dessa gestão, tais como estratégia para novos produtos e tecnologias; mecanismos de identificação de oportunidades e fontes de idéias para novos produtos; estrutura e recursos de engenharia e P&D; técnicas preferidas para análise, seleção e priorização de projetos; mecanismos de acompanhamento no desenvolvimento dos novos produtos e revisão do portfólio. Um conjunto de práticas de gestão foi identificado e comparado a quatro modelos teóricos, o que levou à conclusão que as empresas gerenciam seu portfólio de forma heterogênea. Mesmo assim, tais práticas produzem como resultado final uma importante vantagem competitiva e podem auxiliar outras empresas na busca pela excelência na gestão da inovação por meio da gestão do seu portfólio de projetos de novos produtos. Ainda que não seja possível generalizar as conclusões acerca dos casos, os resultados apontam diversas intersecções entre as práticas encontradas nas empresas e os modelos teóricos, convergindo para um conjunto comum de práticas gerenciais que podem favorecer o desempenho de outras organizações, além de contribuir com subsídios para futuras pesquisas. / This research has investigated four Brazilian multinational companies looking for their most used practices in managing their portfolio of new product projects. To accomplish this goal, a multi-case study was undertaken. Several aspects of the new products portfolio management were explored, such as product innovation strategy; R&D structure and resources; opportunities seizing mechanisms and sources for new product ideas; preferred project evaluation and selection techniques; decision makers\' preferences and profiles; new product development measures and portfolio periodic revision. Based on this investigation, a set of practices was identified and compared to four theoretical models. It was found that the companies manage their portfolio in heterogeneous ways. However, such practices contribute to the overall innovation in the companies and produce a substantial competitive advantage. Indeed, such practices can also help other companies in achieving new products portfolio management excellence. Although the conclusions that followed through can not be generalized to a management model, the results can substantially aid other companies in leveraging their portfolio management performance and also be a relevant contribution for future research.

A análise de falhas potenciais compreende o uso de técnicas sistemáticas (métodos) durante o Processo de Desenvolvimento de Produto (PDP) que utilizam conhecimentos tácitos de engenharia para prever possíveis falhas, tanto do projeto (design) do produto quanto de seu processo de fabricação, e propor ações que evitem a ocorrência dessas falhas. O problema prático que motiva a realização deste trabalho é a dificuldade enfrentada pelas empresas em alcançar plenamente todos os benefícios decorrentes da aplicação da análise de falhas potenciais. O exame do estado da arte indica que há diversos problemas e práticas propostas para minimizar esses problemas dispersos na literatura. Existem também empresas benchmark na aplicação de métodos de análise de falhas potenciais que podem ser estudadas para o levantamento de outras práticas. Assim, o trabalho tem como objetivo sistematizar os problemas e práticas presentes na literatura e práticas empregadas por uma empresa benchmark. A fim de atingir esse objetivo, são gerados dois resultados principais. O primeiro, alcançado por meio de uma Revisão Bibliográfica Sistemática, é o agrupamento dos problemas e das práticas de análise de falhas potenciais presentes na literatura em categorias. Os 37 problemas encontrados foram agrupados em: Definição do risco, Recursos, Integração PDP, Temporal, Cultura organizacional, Gestão de informações, Procedimentos e Comportamental; e as 161 práticas em Abordagem, Ferramenta, Framework, Método, Software e Diretriz. O segundo resultado, obtido a partir de um estudo de caso, são práticas empregadas por uma empresa que é referência na aplicação dos métodos de análise de falhas potenciais FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) e DRBFM (Design Review Based on Failure Mode). Os resultados do estudo de caso sugerem que o sucesso da execução dos métodos FMEA e DRBFM, na unidade de negócio caso, deve-se à combinação de provisão de recursos, trabalho em equipe multidisciplinar, formação de competências (treinamento), definição de procedimentos, aplicação integrada com outros métodos/ferramentas do PDP, e, sobretudo, não considerar a aplicação como atividade pro forma. Os conhecimentos gerados nesse trabalho podem contribuir para auxiliar as empresas a alcançarem os benefícios da aplicação de métodos de análise de falhas potenciais no processo de desenvolvimento de produtos. / The potential failure analysis is the application of systematic techniques (methods) in the process of New Product Development (NPD) that make the use of tacit engineering knowledge to predict possible design and manufacturing process failures and to define countermeasures. The practical problem which motivates the accomplishment of this research is the challenge companies face in achieving the full benefits that can be yield with the application of methods of potential failure analysis. The status of the research carried out in the field shows that there are many problems related to that challenge and practices proposed to mitigate these problems, dispersed in the literature. Notwithstanding the practices later cited, benchmark companies in applying methods of potential failure analysis can be investigated for discovering more practices. The goal of this study is to systematize both the problems and practices reported in the literature and the practices adopted by a benchmark company. In meeting that goal, this research delivered two main outcomes. First, through a Systematic Literature Review, is the sorting of the problems and practices cited in the literature. The 37 problems found were categorised in the classes: Definition of risk, Resources, NPD integration, Moment, Organizational culture, Information management, Procedures and Behavioural; and the 161 practices in Approach, Tool, Framework, Method, Software and Guideline. The second outcome, accomplished through a case study, is a set of practices employed by a company which is reference in applying the FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) e DRBFM (Design Review Based on Failure Mode) methods. The findings suggest that the successful execution of the FMEA and DRBFM methods, in the business unit case, is due to a combination of provision of resources, employing multi-disciplinary teams, training, defining and documenting the process of application, integrating the application of these methods with others NPD methods/tools, and, mainly, not considering the application a perfunctory task. It is believed that the knowledge resulted from this research might assist companies to get benefits from the methods of potential failure analysis applied into the process of new product development.

A análise de falhas potenciais compreende o uso de técnicas sistemáticas (métodos) durante o Processo de Desenvolvimento de Produto (PDP) que utilizam conhecimentos tácitos de engenharia para prever possíveis falhas, tanto do projeto (design) do produto quanto de seu processo de fabricação, e propor ações que evitem a ocorrência dessas falhas. O problema prático que motiva a realização deste trabalho é a dificuldade enfrentada pelas empresas em alcançar plenamente todos os benefícios decorrentes da aplicação da análise de falhas potenciais. O exame do estado da arte indica que há diversos problemas e práticas propostas para minimizar esses problemas dispersos na literatura. Existem também empresas benchmark na aplicação de métodos de análise de falhas potenciais que podem ser estudadas para o levantamento de outras práticas. Assim, o trabalho tem como objetivo sistematizar os problemas e práticas presentes na literatura e práticas empregadas por uma empresa benchmark. A fim de atingir esse objetivo, são gerados dois resultados principais. O primeiro, alcançado por meio de uma Revisão Bibliográfica Sistemática, é o agrupamento dos problemas e das práticas de análise de falhas potenciais presentes na literatura em categorias. Os 37 problemas encontrados foram agrupados em: Definição do risco, Recursos, Integração PDP, Temporal, Cultura organizacional, Gestão de informações, Procedimentos e Comportamental; e as 161 práticas em Abordagem, Ferramenta, Framework, Método, Software e Diretriz. O segundo resultado, obtido a partir de um estudo de caso, são práticas empregadas por uma empresa que é referência na aplicação dos métodos de análise de falhas potenciais FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) e DRBFM (Design Review Based on Failure Mode). Os resultados do estudo de caso sugerem que o sucesso da execução dos métodos FMEA e DRBFM, na unidade de negócio caso, deve-se à combinação de provisão de recursos, trabalho em equipe multidisciplinar, formação de competências (treinamento), definição de procedimentos, aplicação integrada com outros métodos/ferramentas do PDP, e, sobretudo, não considerar a aplicação como atividade pro forma. Os conhecimentos gerados nesse trabalho podem contribuir para auxiliar as empresas a alcançarem os benefícios da aplicação de métodos de análise de falhas potenciais no processo de desenvolvimento de produtos. / The potential failure analysis is the application of systematic techniques (methods) in the process of New Product Development (NPD) that make the use of tacit engineering knowledge to predict possible design and manufacturing process failures and to define countermeasures. The practical problem which motivates the accomplishment of this research is the challenge companies face in achieving the full benefits that can be yield with the application of methods of potential failure analysis. The status of the research carried out in the field shows that there are many problems related to that challenge and practices proposed to mitigate these problems, dispersed in the literature. Notwithstanding the practices later cited, benchmark companies in applying methods of potential failure analysis can be investigated for discovering more practices. The goal of this study is to systematize both the problems and practices reported in the literature and the practices adopted by a benchmark company. In meeting that goal, this research delivered two main outcomes. First, through a Systematic Literature Review, is the sorting of the problems and practices cited in the literature. The 37 problems found were categorised in the classes: Definition of risk, Resources, NPD integration, Moment, Organizational culture, Information management, Procedures and Behavioural; and the 161 practices in Approach, Tool, Framework, Method, Software and Guideline. The second outcome, accomplished through a case study, is a set of practices employed by a company which is reference in applying the FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) e DRBFM (Design Review Based on Failure Mode) methods. The findings suggest that the successful execution of the FMEA and DRBFM methods, in the business unit case, is due to a combination of provision of resources, employing multi-disciplinary teams, training, defining and documenting the process of application, integrating the application of these methods with others NPD methods/tools, and, mainly, not considering the application a perfunctory task. It is believed that the knowledge resulted from this research might assist companies to get benefits from the methods of potential failure analysis applied into the process of new product development.

Dimensional variation analysis (DVA) is a computer based simulation process used to identify potential assembly process issues due the effects of component part and assembly variation during manufacture. The sponsoring company has over a number of years developed a DVA process to simulate the variation behaviour of a wide range of static mechanical systems. This project considers whether the current DVA process used by the sponsoring company is suitable for the simulation of complex kinematic systems. The project, which consists of three case studies, identifies several issues that became apparent with the current DVA process when applied to three types of complex kinematic systems. The project goes on to develop solutions to the issues raised in the case studies in the form of new or enhanced methods of information acquisition, simulation modelling and the interpretation and presentation of the simulation output Development of these methods has enabled the sponsoring company to expand the range of system types that can be successfully simulated and significantly enhances the information flow between the DVA process and the wider product development process.

Strategies for commercialization of a new product innovation are critical for gaining a sustainable level of customer acceptance and financial performance. The purpose of this single case study was to explore the commercialization strategies used by 5 technology development marketing leaders from a healthcare company in Washington state. The conceptual framework for this study was commercialization of innovation theory (CoI). The data were collected through semistructured interviews and company documentation, and analyzed using Yin's 5-step data analysis process for case studies to identify and code themes. Analysis of data generated 3 major themes: strategies implemented during the prelaunch phase, strategies implemented during the pilot customer phase, and strategies implemented in the broader market launch phase of the CoI process. The results of this study revealed the set of commercialization decisions made by technology development marketing leaders in the case, the phase in which the CoI process-specific strategies were implemented, and some of the pitfalls of commercializing an innovation, especially a radical innovation. Results indicated the challenges with being a first-mover and having unclear positioning, branding, and messaging strategies. It is essential for technology development marketing leaders to gain a deeper understanding of the strategies that might influence commercial success and failure. Findings may contribute to social change by maximizing commercial success and the diffusion of new product innovations in healthcare, which might lead to better patient outcomes and enhanced ways of practicing medicine.

Background: It is argued that most of the new product do not fail in the end but it fails in the beginning of the innovation. Managing front end of NPD, is the most important and difficult challenges facing the innovation managers. Effectively promoting front end activities can contribute directly to the success of the new product. So, integrating market-based partners (suppliers and customers) in the front-end phase enhances the quantity and quality of ideas. Problem discussion: Authors have suggested the involvement of market-based partners as early as possible in the NPD process will reduce the fuzziness in front end phase. The collaboration process with market-based partners implies that combining the idiosyncratic resources in unique ways, firms would relish greater innovation success. But this process of integration or collaboration with market-based partners are not that easy as it entails different appropriation and coordination concerns. Majority of the literature is concentrated on integrating market-based partners in the back-end activities of NPD, leaving a bit of void in the front-end phase of NPD. Method: The methodological choice of this thesis follows an exploratory study to seek new insights into an existing subject. The thesis is a following a deductive approach and is qualitative in the research choice. Purpose: To provide insights on integrating market-based partners in the front-end phase of new product development where the information is scattered around. This thesis identifies a structure that facilitates the integration of market-based partners in the fuzzy front end of NPD to mitigate the appropriation concerns and challenges.

行銷／研發／製造三部門之間的互動影響新產品研發的績效，從眾多文獻的實證研究看來已是無庸置疑的事。本研究以五家具代表性的監視器個案公司從橫斷面做單一產業的研究，希望能對行銷／研發、研發／製造之間的互動與新產品研發績效關係做比較精確的描述。 　　本研究對成功新產品發展的定義為：(1)產品規格定位正確，上市後能廣被市場接受。(2)產品可靠度良好，沒有品質問題。(3)產品材料成本及製造成本低於同級競爭者。 　　本研究從個案廠商在行銷／研發及研發／製造介面上的作為，並比較觀察其新產品發展績效，發展出四項命題建構： 　　1. 當研發與行銷的互動內容，以產品技術為主時，則其互動程度愈高，其新產品發展績效較佳；而不以產品技術為主時，則其互動程度，與新產品發展績效無顯著差異。 　　2. 當企業業務型態偏重於OEM/ODM時，研發與行銷之間的互動，由研發部門主導時，其新產品發展績效較佳。而當企業業務型態偏重於自有品牌(Own Brand Manufacturing)的銷售時，研發與行銷之間的互動，由行銷部門主導時，其新產品發展績效較佳。 　　3. 當研發與製造的組織地位與技術能力相當時，研發與製造的互動方式，採同步作業方式較採順序作業方式，其新產品發展績效較佳。 　　4. 製造對研發的逆向溝通（製程技術的擴散）程度愈高，則新產品發展績效較佳。 　　本研究並根據命題內容對實務上的運作提出三點建議：(1)藉著將技術人員調往行銷部來提升行銷人員技術專業知識的程度，以加強研發／行銷人員在新產品研發中，基於技術內容的互動水準。(2)提升生技的地位和技術層次使之能達到研發部的水準。(3)以雙向性的互動關係來看待研發／製造的關係。研發對製造的技術移轉固然重要，製造對研發的回饋，對新產品研發的可製性(Manufacturability)也有很大的幫助。