Key determinants of the successful adoption of new product development methods

Abstract

PurposeIn recent years, scholars have devoted increasing attention to the use of methods in new product development. Although their positive impact on product success has been confirmed by a series of studies, little research has so far been conducted into the determinants of the successful method application. The purpose of this paper is to analyze two key determinants for the successful use of methods.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a structural equation modeling approach and analyzes the subject based on a large empirical sample of 410 product development projects.FindingsThe way the new product development process is formalized and the extent of top management support have a significant influence on the successful application of methods. Both factors lead to the use of more methods overall and drive the more thorough and intensive deployment of the specific methods used.Practical implicationsThe paper shows how firms that are seeking a more methodical approach to new product development can consciously create the right determinants for the successful adoption of methods and by doing that can increase the success rate of their new product development activities.Originality/valueThis research adds to the literature on success factors of new product development in two distinct ways. First, the paper investigates the subject at the level of specific product development projects, based on a large empirical sample and using a structural equation modeling approach, for the first time. Second, the methods investigated were chosen in a systematic, multi step process in which the methods used by several functions involved in new product development were taken into account.

Effect of multidimensional top management support on project success: an empirical investigation

“…Effective roles of top management support include actively influencing the stakeholders through resource provision, negotiation, persuasion, and motivating powerful parties to support the implementers (Boonstra 2006). The role of top management support as an important success factor in new product development have been recognized by a number of studies (Clark and Wheelwright 1995;Cooper and Kleinschmidt 2007;Craig and Hart 1992;Graner and Mißler-Behr 2013;Henard and Szymanski 2001;Salomo et al 2010;Zirger and Maidique 1990).…”

Analysis of quantitative empirical papers on diffusion and adoption of methods, techniques and tools for innovation

“…Chai & Xin, 2006;Graner & Mißler-Behr, 2013;Nijssen & Frambach, 2000), their deficiencies (e.g. Mahajan & Wind, 1992;Nijssen & Lieshout, 1995), level of satisfaction with them (e.g.…”

“…Method appeared once, technique three times and tool seven times. Although the term method is used only once among the keywords, it is used in the title of six of the collected papers, indicating the recurrence of its use in literature (Araujo, Benedettoneto, Campello, Segre, & Wright, 1996;Creusen, Hultink, & Eling, 2013;Engelbrektsson & Soderman, 2004;Fujita & Matsuo, 2006;Graner & Mißler-Behr, 2013;Nijssen & Lieshout, 1995). Table 1 introduces the purposes of research, types of innovation focused by studies and context of the studies.…”

Effectiveness of on-the-Job Learning for Enterprises’ Innovativeness

“…Previous researchers suggest 3 modes by which innovative skills of people can develop i.e. teambased work organization, support for training and flexible work practices which help develop a "learning culture" in order to promote workplace learning (Smith et al, 2012 (Graner & Mißler-Behr, 2013) new product innovation is one of the most important determinants of sustained company performance and therefore represents a key challenge for firms to give attention to competencies of people. Scholars give attention to numerous individual and organizational predictors which can later become a foundation for creative activities (innovative activities) of an enterprise where the competence of individuals is a key (WojtczukTurek & Turek, 2015).…”