Developing product platforms: analysis of the development process

Article Abstract:

Several authors have highlighted the importance of companies enhancing their new product development process through a multiproduct strategy. This means planning the development of a product family upon a platform, which allows shorter lead times in developing new derivative models. The platform itself has proven to be more flexible when given a modular architecture, so this shifts attention onto evaluating product platform architecture. This paper analyses three industrial cases in order to draw conclusions on the implementation of platforms and modularisation, and in particular on how they deal with this issue. First of all, an interpretation framework is proposed which defines the element taking into account managing with platforms. Secondly, the achieved results in terms of platform flexibility are studied. The paper measures them through analysing the way in which the trade-off between distinctiveness and commonality is dealt with. Finally, since the ability of firms to develop robust product platforms resides in NPD process management and organisation, organisational settings and process flows are examined. Keywords: New product development (NPD); Product platform; Modularity; Case studies; Multiple industry

United Kingdom, Marketing

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Implementing university-industry joint product innovation projects

Article Abstract:

Research was conducted to analyze product development projects that are jointly undertaken by an industrial firm and a not-for-profit technology institution (TI). The projects considered are those of strategic importance to both collaborators and involve the development of new technology or improvement of an existing one. A general process description of the initiation, implementation and consequences of TI-firm joint product innovation projects is developed based on in-depth case studies of such type of projects.

Elementary and secondary schools, Secondary & Technical Schools, Analysis, Joint ventures, Schools, Business enterprises, Business and education, Industry and education, Technical institutes

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Innovation in product development within the electronics industry

Article Abstract:

The product development techniques and methodologies used four successful firms in the electronics industry were evaluated. Their levels of effectiveness in dealing with project complexity variables that include product specification, product complexity and product scope were shown by using a framework. It was concluded that the proper use of these techniques and methodologies can result in the shortening of product development time and cost, improved product quality and consistency in client's expectations.

Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing, Electronics, Electronic Components and Accessories, Methods, Economic aspects, Electronics industry, Technological innovations

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