Short answer
Actively integrate suppliers and customers into the design process from the beginning, and consider how to foster greater supplier engagement to unlock broader performance benefits.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Journal of technology management & innovation (2010)
- Method
- Quantitative research using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
- Sample
- Over 600 manufacturers
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Integrating both supplier and customer input throughout the new product development process leads to superior product quality, reliability, and innovativeness, while also impacting time to market. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2010 study published in Journal of technology management & innovation. Using Quantitative research using structural equation modeling (sem). with Over 600 manufacturers, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Actively integrate suppliers and customers into the design process from the beginning, and consider how to foster greater supplier engagement to unlock broader performance benefits.
Simultaneous Supplier and Customer Involvement Boosts New Product Performance
Integrating both supplier and customer input throughout the new product development process leads to superior product quality, reliability, and innovativeness, while also impacting time to market.
Journal of technology management & innovation · 2010
Key Findings
- 01Supplier involvement positively impacts all three dimensions of new product performance (quality/reliability, time to market, innovativeness).
- 02Customer involvement positively impacts product quality and reliability.
- 03Companies tend to prioritize customer involvement over supplier involvement.
- 04There is a need to increase attention towards enhancing supplier involvement in NPD.
Application
Design takeaway
Actively integrate suppliers and customers into the design process from the beginning, and consider how to foster greater supplier engagement to unlock broader performance benefits.
How to apply
When initiating a new product design project, map out key suppliers and customer segments. Develop a plan for how and when to involve them in design reviews, ideation sessions, and testing phases, paying particular attention to fostering supplier collaboration.
Project actions
- 01When defining your project scope, consider who your key suppliers and target users are.
- 02Plan how you will gather input from these stakeholders at different stages of your design process.
- 03Think about how you will measure the success of your product, not just on its own merits, but also in terms of how well it meets the needs of different parties.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Large, international sample size provides generalizability.
- +Use of SEM allows for testing complex, simultaneous relationships.
Limitations
It may be difficult to get meaningful input from suppliers or users, or their feedback might be conflicting. The time and resources required for extensive stakeholder engagement can be a constraint.
Reliability & validity
The study's reliability is supported by its large sample size and robust statistical method (SEM). Validity is enhanced by examining multiple dimensions of new product performance and the simultaneous impact of both SI and CI.
Think critically
How might the nature of the product or industry influence the relative importance of supplier versus customer involvement?
Design Principles
"Holistic stakeholder integration in new product development drives superior performance outcomes."
This research highlights that a holistic approach to new product development, involving key external stakeholders from the outset, is crucial for maximizing product success. Designers and engineers should actively seek and integrate feedback from both upstream suppliers and downstream customers to mitigate risks and enhance product value.
What This Means for Your Design
Getting suppliers and customers involved in making new products helps make them better, faster, and more innovative. Companies need to work more with their suppliers.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user research and supplier collaboration in your design process.
- 2.Use the findings to justify your methodology for gathering feedback and involving stakeholders.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research underscores the critical role of integrating both supplier and customer involvement in new product development. By actively engaging these stakeholders, designers can enhance product quality, reliability, and innovativeness, while also optimizing time to market. The findings suggest that a more balanced approach, particularly in strengthening supplier collaboration, is beneficial for overall product performance.
Source
Journal of technology management & innovation
The Simultaneous Impact of Supplier and Customer Involvement on New Product Performance
journal · 2010
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about simultaneous supplier and customer involvement boosts new product performance?
- Actively integrate suppliers and customers into the design process from the beginning, and consider how to foster greater supplier engagement to unlock broader performance benefits. Evidence: Journal of technology management & innovation (2010).
- Why does "Simultaneous Supplier and Customer Involvement Boosts New Product Performance" matter for design?
- This research highlights that a holistic approach to new product development, involving key external stakeholders from the outset, is crucial for maximizing product success. Designers and engineers should actively seek and integrate feedback from both upstream suppliers and downstream customers to mitigate risks and enhance product value.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Actively integrate suppliers and customers into the design process from the beginning, and consider how to foster greater supplier engagement to unlock broader performance benefits.
- What were the main findings?
- Supplier involvement positively impacts all three dimensions of new product performance (quality/reliability, time to market, innovativeness).. Customer involvement positively impacts product quality and reliability.. Companies tend to prioritize customer involvement over supplier involvement.. There is a need to increase attention towards enhancing supplier involvement in NPD.
- What research method was used?
- Quantitative research using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). with Over 600 manufacturers.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2010 journal from Journal of technology management & innovation.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When initiating a new product design project, map out key suppliers and customer segments. Develop a plan for how and when to involve them in design reviews, ideation sessions, and testing phases, paying particular attention to fostering supplier collaboration.
- What are the limitations?
- The study's findings might be more pronounced in certain industries or company cultures. The research does not delve into the specific mechanisms or types of involvement that are most effective for each stakeholder.