The research was conducted to determine what the success factors for new product development and commercialization were for a selected sample of SMEs in South Africa. Academic literature on success factors for New Product Development and commercialization, as well as small and medium businesseswere reviewed. The review of the literature provided the theoretical framework for 21 success factors relevant to the study. These success factors were further extrapolated to 36 success factors and used as a basis for determining South African SME relevance. The findings were consistent with the literature review and point to several success factors that South African SMEs deem critical to success of new product development. In conclusion, South African SMEs confirm the importance of the success factors as presented in the literature. The ranking by importance of these success factors highlight the specific value that South African SMEs place on these success factors. These need further in-depth research.

The rapid progress of the Asia-Pacific rim countries during the past three decades has attracted world-wide attention, especially in the field of technological innovation. By the mid 1980's, researchers had acknowledged that the Asia-Pacific rim region had redefined the global balance of competition while at the same time, the western nations were suffering a decline in world market share. The perspective of the Asia-Pacific rim thinking tends to gravitate towards an endogenous model, where factors are more amenable to the influence of the organisation. An investigation by the World Bank on East Asia (including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong) has uncovered emphatic evidence that the three dimensions propounded by Ohmae's model of people,finance and assets have been instrumental in enabling these economies "to acquire and master technology".This research explores the philosophy and strategic thinking of the Asia-Pacific rim electronics manufacturing industry with respect to the determinants of technological innovation. The study is divided into three major phases. The initial phase examines the respective strands of literature pertaining to the strategic issues of technological innovation. Special attention has been focused on the functional utilisation of people,finance and assets within the perspective of the Asia-Pacific rim electronics industry, leading to a broad-based framework for the study. Phase two is comprised of two main activities: the first involves exploratory interviews with four notable electronics companies and the second has entailed the gathering of data from 111 companies within the five Asia-Pacific rim countries (Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong) operating in Singapore and the United Kingdom, by means of a mailed questionnaire survey. Phase three involves qualitative as well as quantitative analyses where statistical methods such as one-way ANOVA, Chi-square test and t-tests have been undertaken to verify the data gathered from the primary research. The findings have uncovered that there are several determinants that are associated with the high rate of successful technological innovation in the sampled companies. For the people's dimension, there has been a high emphasis on training, resulting in a "nurtured" model of a worker, where numerous process innovations have been initiated by trained shop-floor technicians and engineers. At group working levels, various discussion groups (such as quality control circles and productivity discussion groups) have given rise to a collective learning process where shared knowledge enabled new products and processes to be innovated more rapidly than in the conventional departmentalised models. Other aspects of group dynamics has been the continuity (or smooth transition of innovative ideas) and good communications between functional groups thus acceleratingtechnological innovation. For the assets' dimension, the strategic foci have been shifted toautomation, flexible manufacturing process and increasing usage of information technology (including both computer hardware and software) so that new products can be brought to the market faster through the intelligent deployment of such assets and know-how. Finally, funds were found to have been allocated to expedite innovation through investment in R & D and staff training.

<p>Early concept generation is the base for the final products appearance. Since most of the products character and cost is set at an early stage increased knowledge at an early stage is vital. This master thesis aims at creating a method called RAPTOR. The purpose of RAPTOR is to reduce the cost and increase the knowledge by combining CAD and optimization with an easy excel interface.</p><p>For illustrative purpose an electric motor example has been used. The master thesis has been demonstrated at GM power train, Trollhättan Sweden, and a considerable interest was shown.</p><p>The inspiration comes from the GlobaLiTH project, a project at the machine design department at Linköping University, Sweden, where a sustainable light utility vehicle was designed.</p>

Companies developing new products have a wide variety of product development (PD) processes from which to choose. Each process offers a different method of iteration to manage risk. Companies must therefore consider the nature and level of risks they face in order to determine the most appropriate iteration and PD process. This paper identifies principles of risk and iteration inherent in product development and then explains how several different PD processes manage risk through iteration. It explains current research on PD decision criteria and concludes by proposing a framework to help companies better select PD processes. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

Early concept generation is the base for the final products appearance. Since most of the products character and cost is set at an early stage increased knowledge at an early stage is vital. This master thesis aims at creating a method called RAPTOR. The purpose of RAPTOR is to reduce the cost and increase the knowledge by combining CAD and optimization with an easy excel interface. For illustrative purpose an electric motor example has been used. The master thesis has been demonstrated at GM power train, Trollhättan Sweden, and a considerable interest was shown. The inspiration comes from the GlobaLiTH project, a project at the machine design department at Linköping University, Sweden, where a sustainable light utility vehicle was designed.

This thesis examines the strategic drivers and processes governing the development of products and/or technologies by multiple economic entities. The thesis adopts an operational approach in addressing the question and examines the how of joint product development. For this purpose, the different mechanisms that enable joint product development licensing, outsourced development, and codevelopment are considered, and the focus is restricted to the analysis and characterization of the optimal management of joint product development mechanisms. Regarding the mechanism of licensing, the thesis examines both its dynamic inter-temporal implications (i.e., how licenses should be structured given that licensing will also occur in the future) as well as the role of the technology in question (i.e., how are licenses affected by the type of technology being licensed). Along the first dimension, the thesis finds that license fees (and the negotiation with potential licensees) may be structured so as to induce a controlled diffusion depending on the technology roadmap the provider firm has laid out for the future. On the second dimension, the study finds that when the technological solution being licensed requires minimal integration from the licensees side, it may be beneficial to restrict attention to a few potential licensees instead of licensing to the entire market. On the codevelopment side, the thesis presents an original case study that uncovers some of the salient features present in many joint development efforts. Subsequently, a mathematical model is proposed that captures the key dimensions of the phenomenon that were identified through the case study. Analysis of the normative model reveals the key role of market and development uncertainty in structuring the formal contractual agreements and sharing the value created through the codevelopment effort.

This report focuses on three parts which are market research, marketing- and sales strategies, and product development for a start-up company in Italy called ARS Meccanica Dolomiti and their new product, Quikky. The main objective was to find a strategy which the company could use to attract customers. In the market research both potential customers and competitors were identified. Similar products that could be a threat for the product were also investigated. Most of the information came through own research via Internet. However, a visit to the CeMAT fair in Hannover was also helpful since potential customers, competitors and other partners were gathered at the same place. The main results from this research are that there are a lot of potential customers for the product. The reason for this is that it was discovered that the product could be used in different application areas, resulting in a broader market for the product. However, there are many competitors since the product is mostly directed towards the lifting industry which is already an attractive market. As for the product development it was early recognised that the product could be designed in many different ways. Both mini Quikky and symmetric Quikky, which are two new versions of the original Quikky, could be new products that the company could sell. By having several versions of the product, the company can more easily attract customers. / Rapporten fokuserar på tre områden som är att utföra en marknadsundersökning, marknadsförings- och försäljnings- strategi samt produktutveckling för ett nystartat företag i Italien, ARS Meccanica Dolomiti och deras nya produkt, Quikky. Målet med arbetet var att komma fram till en strategi som företaget kan använda för att locka till sig kunder. I marknadsundersökningen identifierades både potentiella kunder samt konkurrenter. Liknande produkter som kan utgöra ett hot undersöktes också. Det mesta av informationen kom genom egna undersökningar via Internet. Ett besök till CeMAT mässan i Hannover var även mycket hjälpsam, då en hel del potentiella kunder, konkurrenter och andra samarbetspartner var samlade på ett och samma ställe. Resultatet visar på att det finns en hel del potentalla kunder för produkten. Anledningen till detta är att produkten kan användas i olika tillämpningsområden vilket medför att en större marknad blir möjlig. Nackdelen är att det redan finns många konkurrenter då produkten främst är riktad mot lyftindustrin som är en attraktiv marknad. När det gäller produktutveckling blev det snabbt tydligt att produkten kan utformas på flera andra sätt. Både mini Quikky samt symmetriska Quikky, är två nya versioner av den ursprungliga designen. Dessa två kan vara produker som ARS Meccanica kan sälja. Genom att ha flera versioner av produkten, kan företaget dessutom attrahera till sig fler kunder.

Shift Design &amp; Strategy AB, härifrån förkortat till Shift, driver idag ett sidoprojekt i egenregi. De skall i marknadsföringssyfte ta fram en trehjuling för företag inomanläggningsbranschen. Shift har gett en högskolestuderande möjlighet att komma medkonstruktörslösningar för att driva projektet närmare nästa steg, vilket är prototyptillverkning.I examensarbetet genomförs en grundläggande analys av vilka konstruktionsutmaningarprojektet står framför. Med utvalda metoder och verktyg arbetas flertalet lösningsförslagfram. Efter utvärdering av lösningsförslagen tas en totallösning fram och presenteras i form aven CAD-modell samt text. Avslutningsvis ges rekommendationer om hur Shift bör tolkaresultaten. / Shift Design &amp; Strategy AB, here abbreviated to Shift, currently runs it’s own side project.They will develop a tricycle with marketing purposes for companies in the constructionindustry. Shift offers a student to find construction solutions to pursue the project closer totheir goal.In the thesis an analysis of what construction problems the project are facing is made.Selected methods and tools are then used to generate several solutions. After evaluation of theproposed solutions a comprehensive solution is developed and presented in the form of aCAD-model as well as in text. Finally, recommendations will be given to Shift on how tointerpret the results of the work, which has been done.

Denna rapport är en del av examination till Högskoleingenjörsprogrammet i maskinteknik på Karlstads universitet. Examensarbetet gick ut på att ta fram ett nytt koncept för en tailcutter åt Valmet AB Karlstad som är en viktig del i en mjukpappersmaskin vid upp- och omstart av maskinen. Men det skall även ge studenten färdigheter som kommer till nytta i det senare arbetslivet. Till kraven som ställdes på det nya konceptet hörde att den skulle vara billigare än dagens konstruktion, gräns för maximal nedböjning på 5 mm, att konstruktionen skulle vara enkel och pålitligt samt att den skulle vara utformad så att den skulle passa in i små utrymmen och olika montageplatser. Det gjorde arbetet mångsidigt och intressant. Beräkningar på hållfasthet gjordes för att säkerställa att den maximala nedböjningen inte överskreds och inga egenfrekvenser som är kritiska uppstår, samtidigt applicerades hela produktutvecklingsprocessen vilket bidrog till kvalitetssäkring under hela arbetets gång. Efter ett tidskrävande konceptval med hjälp av beslutsmatriser och plus- minuslistor togs det fram ett förslag på hur lösningen kunde se ut. Resultatet är ett kolfiberrör med kringkonstruktioner som är av plast (PTFE) i största del, förflyttningen möjliggörs av en standard linjärenhet som drivs med rem av en servomotor för att kunna positionsbestämma dysa via pulsräkning. Den valda plasten är resistent mot de flesta kemikalier som kan tänkas finnas i pappersmaskinmiljö. En spiralslang (tryckluftsslang) matar vattnet till dysan och tack vare att slangen fungerar som en fjäder så följer den dysan när denna traverserar. Tillverkningskostnaden för det nya konceptet uppskattas till ca 110000 kr. detta är en minskning med 42 procent jämfört med dagens konstruktion. Lösningsförslaget är optimerat för DFM/DFA och är servicevänlig. Då arbetet var omfattande kunde inga specificeringar göras och en del av konstruktionen hanns inte med, där finns det goda möjligheter för vidare arbete. / This report is part of the examination for Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the Karlstad University. The thesis is done for Valmet AB Karlstad and describes the development of a new concept for a tailcutter which is an important part of a tissue machine when starting up and restarting the machine. But it will also give the student skills that will be useful when getting employed. Some specifications for the new concept were that it had to be cheaper than the current design, deflection lower than 5 mm over the whole length. The design should be simple and reliable and it should be designed so that it would fit into small spaces and different mounting places. All those different requirements made this thesis varied and interesting. Calculations of strength were made to ensure that the deflection and the eigenfrequency of the beam was at an acceptable level, a product development process was used to get a quality assurance through-out the whole project. After a time-consuming selection using Pugh matrix and plus -minus lists a concept was taken. The result is a carbon fiber tube with plastic (PTFE) constructions around it holding the linear unit. This unit is a standard linear device that operates with a belt and a servo motor, this makes it possible to determine the position of nozzle via pulsing. The selected plastic is resistant to most chemicals that can be found in the environment. A pneumatic coil hose is feeding water to the nozzle, the hose acts like a spring that follows the nozzle when it traverses. The manufacturing cost of the new concept is estimated at about 110 000 SEK. This is a decrease of 42 percent compared to today's construction. The proposed solution is optimized for DFM / DFA and it is also optimized for serviceability. The problem was so comprehensive which made it impossible to specify all details, this gives great opportunities for further work to continue from this thesis.

This is a final bachelor degree project for mechanical engineering. TM Design &amp; Installation AB company needs to reduce the setup time for one end-forming machine by 50%. After some discussion and analysis, the group decides to subdivide the main problem into six sub problems. By aiming at each small problem and figure out several solutions, the group finally have concepts for the problem. The Project contains of the achievement of a design process which thanks to the theories treated in Product Development Through System Engineering and thanks to our previous knowledge and experience. By following all the steps in the books, the project leads us to the selection of final concept.