How PLM influences knowledge integration in new product development: a set-theoretic approach for causal analysis

This paper evaluates the effects of the use of Product Lifecycle Management and its three sub-systems Organizational Memory, Project and Resource Management and Cooperative Work systems on three components of knowledge integration in New Product Development: knowledge transfer, translation and transformation. A second aim of this paper is to explicate and discuss the use of the crisp set version of Qualitative Comparative Analysis to explain the three components of knowledge integration. It does so in an international inter-organizational context of a moderately turbulent industry. In addition to the PLM sub-systems, this configurational analysis focuses on the level of supplier relationships as characterized by two conditions: the boundary spanner participation and supplier integration. Results show that different types of sub-systems impact various types of knowledge integration, and that the level of supplier relationship conditions is important to ensure knowledge translation and transformation.