Issues and Opportunities in New Product Development: An Introduction to the Special Issue

•Rapid and radical technological developments in computers, telecommunication, and information sciences, particularly the explosive growth in the diffusion and impact of the Internet and intranets; •Globalization of business, including increased international competition and the emergence of regional and global customers and resource markets; •Continuing mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances that alter the competitive structure and practices of an increasing number of industries; •The changing demographics, values, expectations, and behavior of the population; •Increased government and public scrutiny of business decisions, with greater focus on the ethical dimensions of these decisions; •Increased deregulation, privatization, and cooperation between business and government; and •Changes in business practices—downsizing, outsourcing, reengineering, and so on—that have led to flatter, cross-functional organizations and a change in the social/business "contract" of firms with their employees, customers, and other stakeholders.