If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation.Abstract This paper seeks to evaluate the ideas of six new product development (NPD) theorists and their associates. These include those who have developed their theories with particular reference to the food industry and the development of new food products. Their ideas are contrasted with non-food specific theorists; these include those interested in the management of new products and those involved in marketing who have recognised the important role that NPD plays in any business. A further viewpoint is taken from theorists who are interested in NPD per se and who use food, on occasions, to illustrate their ideas. This research identifies different theories and recognises that there is very little consensus as to the right and wrong way to manage the process of product development. Indeed theorists name and number their various stages or phases differently with some advocating five while others believe eight steps to be more appropriate. This research concludes that an organisation should not be tied to one particular model but should take on board the basic fundamentals of a food-based model (theory) and adapt and amend it to their particular situations as and when they develop new food products.The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at

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Highlights the large number of food product innovations and extensions being developed across Europe. The types of developments are often represented as “new developments”’ in their broadest sense. Research was undertaken to ascertain the types of developments being embarked on by SME food manufacturers and to identify the influences to which they are subjected when trying to meet the needs of the retailer, and ultimately the consumer. Concludes that food manufacturers are proactive in making a range of “adjustments” to their products rather than developing “new to the world products”.

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This paper describes the architecture of the system being laid down to support product and service validation for the GMES Atmospheric Service (GAS), as well as how its elements connect with each other and with external features. It provides an account of the experience gained from previous projects having contributed to build up the GAS, describes the current status of the GAS validation system, and outlines the perspectives opening up.