This paper examines the impact of vertical integration on the dynamics of performance in the context of automobile product development. Building on recent work in organizational economics and strategy, we examine a number of detailed case studies to evaluate the relationship between vertical integration and different performance margins. On the one hand, outsourcing facilitates access to cuttin...

a r t i c l e i n f o This study investigates the extent to which strong relationships between a firm and its key suppliers promote effective new product introduction. Building on the relationship marketing literature, we identify self-enforcement and interdependence as two contingent relational variables that influence the strength of the buyer–supplier relationship. We use data from a survey ...

Modern product development increasingly relies on simulation methods to optimize functional performance. The testanalyze-fix approach of physical prototypes has moved to computer-aided, engineering-based, virtual prototyping. Contrary to the belief that this would reduce the demands for testing, it has opened new applications, new challenges and opportunities. Part 2 of this article covers thes...

This article describes the improvement of a model of collaborative design for the ceramic industry. A new stakeholder playing a crucial role is now included in the design process, i.e. the customer. Specifically, we present a pilot validation study for the framework that aims to analyse how the environment, experiences and reference criteria of different types of the customers (commercial deale...

I a stylized model of biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing, this paper shows how the potential for renegotiation influences the optimal structure of supply contracts, investments in innovation and capacity, the way scarce capacity is allocated, and firms’ resulting profits. Two buyers contract for capacity with a common manufacturer. Then, the buyers invest in innovation (product developmen...

More and more product development projects involve geographically distributed groups of developers. One problem in such groups is the long term lack of awareness of the activities in remote sites. In this paper we discuss the importance of awareness in distributed product development projects. We argue that generic services are needed in development environments for providing continuous awarene...

This research studies the effect of key strategy and governance choices on chances of success of innovation in software products, and we test our hypotheses based on data from more than 150 professionals in the United States who are responsible for new software product development. We find the right balance of onshore and offshore team members to be more salient in influencing innovation succes...

“I call architecture frozen music” a quote by Johan Wolfgan von Goethe. It seems that his description of architecture will not be this much long lasting. Since many architectural structures now are considered soniferous. In an approach to rational the thinking of positive soundscape and move onwards in terms of systematic decision making, and creating tools for more creative planning techniques...

I describe our approach and mechanisms to support the engineering of organizational processes throughout their life cycle. I describe our current understanding of what activities are included in the process life cycle. I then go on to describe our approach , computational mechanisms, and experiences in supporting many of these life cycle activities, as well as compare it to other related eeorts...