Complex organizational knowledge structures for new product development teams

When a new product development team faces challenges, such as the cross-functional knowledge conversion task, both simple and existing organizational structures are comprised of various management methods and knowledge characteristics, analogous to a fully armed military force. However, these features are not arranged in order of priority. Each step within the knowledge conversion process of new product development may not require such a full depot of management methods and keynotes. Therefore, this study adopted Blackler’s perspective to examine the suitable organizational knowledge structure for cross-functional knowledge conversion within new product development teams.This study found that the continual steps of socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization in the new product development team’s knowledge conversion process were positively related to various organizational knowledge structures based on a survey of 107 Taiwanese high-technology small and medium-sized enterprises’ new product development teams – not merely a simple structure for all steps. Thus, these results confirm that complex structures are required to perform knowledge conversion. Socialization requires knowledge characteristics from both the communication-intensive organization and the symbolic-analyst-dependent organization. Externalization requires elements of knowledge from the communication-intensive organization, the symbolic-analyst-dependent organization, and knowledge-routinized organization. Combination requires features from the knowledge-routinized organization, and internalization requires characteristics from the expert-dependent organization.In addition, this study attempted to integrate the knowledge features from communication-intensive organization and symbolic-analyst-dependent organization structures for the socialization and externalization stages. This effort concentrated on solving novel and irregular problems through a simplification of the complex organizational structures which make the new product development’s knowledge conversion run smoother.     

Issues for integrating knowledge in new product development: reflections from an empirical study

With increased market pressures now imposed on companies there is a greater requirement for information and knowledge to be considered as fundamental resources; the need to rapidly provide high quality products of high performance and reliability is forcing companies to change the way in which they manage them. The goal of this paper is to identify the pertinent research issues that will need to be considered in order for knowledge (and information) to be successfully integrated into future product development. This will be achieved by presenting the key findings from empirical and simulation studies of information and knowledge access in engineering design, within a number of different design activities. In particular, this will show the extent to which engineers rely on their personal knowledge.     

Causal design knowledge: Alternative representation method for product development knowledge management

This paper presents a mathematical comparison of procedural knowledge and causal knowledge, and discusses the potential roles and feasibility of causal knowledge across product development knowledge management. Since reuse of knowledge is so important in product development, various knowledge management approaches have been introduced. Most of the product design knowledge is represented by procedural knowledge, which unfortunately requires cumbersome processes to define, and is typically inadequate for representing the kind of knowledge generated during the product development process. A causal knowledge representation, however, can help us to overcome this limitation and is an alternative formalism for representing product design knowledge. In this paper we compare the procedural and causal knowledge representations. We present the mathematical definitions of two knowledge paradigms, then mathematically describe the relationship between the two. Both knowledge paradigms are then compared based on the perspective of knowledge expression, decision alternative representation, reasoning capability, and knowledge cultivation. This paper concludes that causal knowledge representation is superior to procedural knowledge representation based on the four perspectives. Finally, the knowledge systems are modeled using Systems Modeling Language (SysML), and we present a case study that demonstrates the causal knowledge features using a realistic example from industry.     

Resources for new product development in Australia

This article presents findings from a survey to determine resources for new product development available in Australia with emphasis on training, education, and consulting in the area of concurrent engineering activities, tools, and techniques. First the study surveys what is available in terms of courses and support services. Then the adequacy of these resources and the gap between them is examined to achieve more customer-focused products and shorter time-to-market. Finally, the human factor role in new product development is also explored. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Integrated supply chain and product family architecture under highly customized demand

Mass customization efforts are challenged by an unpredictable growth or shrink in the market segments and shortened product life cycles which result in an opportunity loss and reduced profitability; hence we propose a concept of sustainable mass customization to address these challenges where an economically infeasible product for a market segment is replaced by an alternative superior product variant nearly at the cost of mass production. This concept provides sufficient time to restructure the product family architecture for the inclusion of a new innovative product variant while fulfilling the market segments with the customer delight and an extended profitability. To implement the concept of sustainable mass customization we have proposed the notions of generic-bill-Of-products (GBOP: list of product variants agreed for the market segments), its interface with generic-supply-chain-structure and strategic decisions about opening or closing of a market segment as an optimization MILP (mixed integer linear program) model including logistics and GBOP constraints. Model is tested with the varying market segments demands, sales prices and production costs against 1 to 40 market segments. Simulation results provide us an optimum GBOP, its respective segments and decisions on the opening or closing of the market segments to sustain mass customization efforts.     

供应链模式下供应商早进入新产品开发框架研究

目前的研究表明供应商早进入新产品开发将使整个供应链受益。然而目前对企业的调查表明供应商早进入新产品开发并没被广泛的实践;它的实现对企业来说是一个挑战。这篇论文对开发基于供应商早进入新产品开发的供应商关系管理进行研究,提出并阐述了供应链模式下的的框架。该框架提出了面向产品的供应链模型,邀请供应商参加竞标的机制以及基于优先方法的供应商选择机制。     

SOCs drive new product development

To dispel a potential misperception that system-on-chip designs are a long way off, the authors describe several examples of new products that derive benefits from using SOCs. These designs emphasize the combination of a complementary set of functions into an economically viable package. SOCs are fueling new products that wouldn't have been possible a few years ago. The article describes the features of Motorola's chip that answers the call for smaller wireless handsets and longer battery life by integrating the separate DSP and microcontroller onto one piece of silicon. It also makes some predictions about what's next in this design area. It goes on to describe how SOCs offer original equipment manufacturers an economical package on which to base new products. It is reported that thin-client vendors like Wyse are using this model to make serious inroads into corporate computing, a domain long dominated by the desktop PC. Next, the article explains how OEMs can save time and money by buying a product that integrates several networking functions-copier, facsimile, and laser-quality printer-into a single chip. Finally, the article presents a sampling of emerging commercial products that use microelectromechanical systems-semiconductor chips that integrate mechanical elements, sensors, actuators, and electronics on a silicon substrate. It describes some advantages of MEMS over current devices that perform the same functions and explains why MEMS is sure to be the technology of the future for many applications     

Supply chain management: a modular Fuzzy Inference System approach in supplier selection for new product development

The critical objectives of purchasing departments include obtaining the product requested, at the right cost, in the right quantity, with the best quality, at the right time, from the right supplier. These goals require effective decisions concerning supplier selection at the early stage of product development. This work provides an application of fuzzy set theory in supply chain management, specifically in supplier selection for new product development. Here, a Fuzzy Inference System is proposed as an alternative approach to handle effectively the impreciseness and uncertainty that are normally found in supplier selection processes. This paper also shows that the proposed decision-making model is applicable to any supply chain system.     

A new approach for selecting portfolio of new product development projects

The most decisive factor that survives enterprises under stiff competition is the development of new product (NPD), and when entering the product development stage after the fuzzy front end, a best project portfolio should be finalized in order to potentially create expected revenue and competitive advantage. However, even it reaches the end of the fuzzy front stage; the NPD project is still significantly involved with uncertainties, complexities and fuzziness. To assist R&D managers making decision in this environment, this study proposes a new approach which combines fuzzy set theory and multi-criteria group decision making method into a NPD project portfolio selection model. This model takes into account project performance, project delivery and project risk, and formulates the selection decision of NPD project portfolio as a fuzzy linear programming problem. The illustrative example shows that the model proposed can generate projects with the highest success rate under limited resources and manpower.     

Systematic approach to new product development

This article presents a comprehensive product development methodology which systematically guides a product development team to develop products which meet or exceed stakeholders' expectations with efficient use of company's resources.     

基于市场营销的新产品创新决策支持系统

文中首先介绍新产品创新方面的背景及主要过程,然后以此为基础分析新产品开发决策支持系统的各模块研究的主要内容,提出一个整体结构的构想。     

Operations and support cost model for new product concept development

Predicting the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) of a proposed new product during its concept development phase is required for two reasons. First, it is necessary to demonstrate to either a potential customer (e.g. Government financed programs) or to corporate management that the cost of owning the new product and its value to the owner justify further development. Second, LCC is the basis for trade studies between various engineering alternatives that must be made early in the program in order to avoid wasteful research in nonproductive areas.

The most significant portion of LCC is usually the Operating and Support (O&S) cost and yet this is the most difficult cost to predict. Operating and support costs include all costs incurred by their owner between initial purchase and discard or salvage. These costs must be predicted by parametric methods and inflated and/or discounted to their applicable years by means of Engineering Economic Analysis techniques. Separate models must be made for each engineering alternative and the costs converted to a common base (i.e. “now” dollars) for comparison.

Martin Marietta, working under contract to the U.S. Navy's Advanced Antiair warfare Working Group (AAWG), has developed a simple O&S cost model to solve this complex problem. The model consists of a three dimensional matrix using LOTUS 1-2-3 software on an IBM PC or PC compatible computer. The model is flexible and detailed enough to be useful in many diverse applications and simple enough to be exercised quickly and at minimum cost.     

A new concept of compatibility structure in new product development

Notwithstanding the existence of few publications addressing the compatibility issues in new product development, an axiomatic basis supporting this literature and driving new contributions to the subject is still lacking. In this paper, we propose a definition of a compatibility structure that lays down the foundations of an axiomatic basis for modelling compatibility in new product development. Regarding the number of conditions comprised in this definition, a minimal representation of compatibility structure is proposed to ease the use and manipulation of a compatibility structure. The definition of compatibility structure and its minimal representation are inspired by those of preference structure in preference modelling. The similarities and dissimilarities between preference structures and compatibility structures are emphasized. The construction and the characterization of a compatibility structure without incomparability using the proposed definition are provided. In this paper, we also propose a method to evaluate the crisp compatibility relations between two alternatives with respect to attributes/criteria. The compatibility relations are evaluated by investigating the impact that an alternative has on another, and vice-versa with respect to a single attribute/criterion. Future research related to the compatibility structure proposed in this paper is described.     

Fuzzy compatibility structures in new product development

This paper deals with the problem of generalizing the concept of crisp compatibility structures developed by the authors in [J. Hohenegger, A. Bufardi, P. Xirouchakis, A new concept of compatibility structure in new product development. Advanced Engineering Informatics, in press, doi:10.1016/g.aei.2006.09.005], to the case of binary fuzzy relations. This generalization is very important because the compatibility modeling problem for which the compatibility structure is developed takes place at the early phases of new product development which are characterized by imprecision. For this generalization, the ?ukasiewicz triplet is shown to be a suitable choice for the fuzzy De Morgan triplet. The class of fuzzy compatibility structures without incomparability deserves a particular attention and is investigated in more detail. Its minimal representation is provided and the construction of fuzzy compatibility structures without incomparability from the fuzzy impacts is considered. A case study illustrating the evaluation of the fuzzy compatibility relations between alternatives is provided.     

How to reduce new product development time

When entering the global market the companies encounter several difficulties, the most important one being excessive time for new product development. This problem can be solved by transition from sequential engineering to concurrent engineering, (Concurrent Engineering Fundamentals, Integrated Product and Process Organization, Vol. I, Prentice Hall PTR, New Jersey, 1996; Concurr. Eng. Res. Appl. 9 (2001) 191).The article presents the principle of concurrent product development process. The market forces small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) to a transition from sequential to concurrent engineering and as team work is the basic element of the concurrent engineering, special attention is being paid to team and workgroup forming in the loops of concurrent product development process in an SME. The article does not deal with communication issues within a team and among teams.A survey of published works in the field of designing teams in big companies has revealed that in big companies a three-level team structure is recommended, as well as a workgroup, consisting of four basic teams. Analysis of the three-level team structure has led us to the conclusion that in SMEs a two-level team structure and a workgroup consisting of two basic teams should be preferred.The results of designing a two-level team structure and the project of transition to concurrent development of mini-loader are presented. Time and cost analysis results prove the justification of transition from sequential to concurrent product development.     

A knowledge system for integrated product design

This paper discusses the architecture and implementation issues for a knowledge system to assist in product design. The goals of the concurrent Design Advisor (CODA) are to enhance the quality of designs by 25 percent and the efficiency by a factor of 10. The improvement springs from the integration of diverse knowledge bases, ranging from customer needs to product evaluation, and from process configuration to production control. One source of efficiency is the automation of many routine tasks, thereby increasing user productivity. Another source is the increase in the quality of initial designs, which obviates the need for numerous iterations in the design process due to poor manufacturability. CODA is based on the general architecture of the Creativity Support System, an expert system for assisting users in specific domains requiring creative solutions. The bilevel structure of the system consists of a domain-independent module containing general tools and techniques for creative problem-solving, and a domain-dependent module incorporating knowledge specific to particular fields of application. The utility of this approach is illustrated in the realm of concurrent product design by demonstrating a CODA within the general architecture of the system.     

Mining customer knowledge for electronic catalog marketing

Direct marketing is the use of the telephone and non-personal media to communicate product and organizational information to customers, who then can purchase products via mail, telephone, or the Internet. In contrast, catalog marketing is a type of marketing in which an organization provides a catalog from which customers make selections and place orders by mail or telephone. However, most catalogs for retailing firms are presented to customers in the format of paper catalogs without strategic segmentation design and implementation. In this regard, electronic catalog design and marketing could be a method to integrate the Internet and catalog marketing using market segmentation in order to enhance the effectiveness of direct marketing and sales management in retailing. This paper uses data mining based on association rules from relational database design and implementation for mining customer knowledge. As result, marketing knowledge patterns and rules are extracted for the electronic catalog marketing and sales management of a retailing mall in Taiwan.