a b s t r a c tThe main purpose of this study is to widen the scope of product portfolio management (PPM) targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) to cover all phases of the product life cycle. Earlier research mainly covers PPM performance management within new product development (NPD) life cycle only. In addition, current challenges relating to PPM performance management over product life cycle are studied.The research method includes current state analysis based on both a thorough literature review and analysing ten case companies that represent hardware (HW), software (SW), services and solutions type businesses. The contribution is discussed and validated by a focus group consisting of all the case companies before making final conclusions.The principal results of this study include the potential framework for managing product portfolio renewal over the entire product life cycle based on strategic, tactical and operational performance measures. The PPM performance management, its business impact and connection to business processes and performance management dashboard are discussed.The role of PPM as a means of executive level dynamic performance management and decision making sets further questions for researchers' for systematic product portfolio definitions, governance models, processes and tools over product life cycle.

Product development sourcing is vital due to the significant impact on company and product success. Different technology life-cycle (TLC) stages also necessitate product development sourcing to focus accordingly. Understanding the dynamics of product development sourcing over TLC's can prove beneficial. This study analyses product development sourcing strategies through three strategy formulating theories of transaction cost theory, knowledge-based theory, and resource-based theory over TLC stages. Three sourcing strategies of outsourcing, strategic acquisitions, and strategic alliances are considered. The topic is approached both by analysing literature and applying inductive logic for analysing product development sourcing over three technology generations in the context of an important player in the high-tech infrastructure business. A framework is introduced where product development activities emphasis and sourcing strategies' focus is presented over TLC, indicating the priorities in different situations. Contribution is provided by analysing motivations behind product development sourcing decisions over three technology generations' life-cycles.

This study aims to capture changes and priorities in product development activities over technology life-cycles. The product development activities are observed through the targets of performance maximising, cost reduction and customisation. Seven models of technology life-cycles are considered to keep track of technology changes over time by following patterns for product development activities. The empirical part of the study is based on analysing a high-tech infrastructure provider on four technology generations. This study depicts different trends of product development activities over technology life-cycles. Different technology generations can have positive and negative interactions which can be strategically beneficial. The managerial implications of this study include comprehensive insights of concurrent technology generations in the context of technology life-cycles which can be beneficial for companies product development planning.Keywords: product development; technology life-cycle; cost; customisation; technology generations; growth; maturity; declining technology; embryonic; technology gap; high technology.Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Shahmarichatghieh, M., Härkönen, J., Haapasalo, H. and Tolonen, A. (2016) 'Product development activities over technology life-cycles in different generations', Int.

Product development sourcing is vital due to the significant impact on company and product success. Different technology life-cycle (TLC) stages also necessitate product development sourcing to focus accordingly. Understanding the dynamics of product development sourcing over TLC's can prove beneficial. This study analyses product development sourcing strategies through three strategy formulating theories of transaction cost theory, knowledge-based theory, and resource-based theory over TLC stages. Three sourcing strategies of outsourcing, strategic acquisitions, and strategic alliances are considered. The topic is approached both by analysing literature and applying inductive logic for analysing product development sourcing over three technology generations in the context of an important player in the high-tech infrastructure business. A framework is introduced where product development activities emphasis and sourcing strategies' focus is presented over TLC, indicating the priorities in different situations. Contribution is provided by analysing motivations behind product development sourcing decisions over three technology generations' life-cycles.