The use of ICT tools to support collaborative product development activities: evidences from Brazilian industry

Abstract

Paper aims: This paper aims to understand the relationship between Information & Communication Technology (ICT), collaborative New Product Development (NPD) and customer satisfaction (NPD performance). Originality: We target the relationship between ICT, collaborative NPD and NPD performance. ICT is assessed as a set of specific tools adopted by the companies. Research method: We test the mediating role of collaborative practices in the effect of ICT tools on customer satisfaction (as NPD performance) by means of a survey of 105 Brazilian firms. Main findings: Collaboration with customers and suppliers has an important role for customer satisfaction and the use of ICT has significant effect on NPD performance through the mediating role of collaborative practices. Implications for theory and practice: Implementing only ICT tools is not enough to achieve higher level of success in NPD. Managers should first strength the relationship between stakeholders and then adopt ICT tools to support the cooperation.

The landscape of open innovation in Brazil: An analysis of the recent literature

“…-External involvement in new product development Specific studies involving the integration of diverse stakeholders in new product projects-such as customers, suppliers, and universities-have also drawn the attention of researchers involved with the OI field (Bueno & Balestrin, 2012;Enrique et al, 2018;González & Toledo, 2012;Reame Junior & Amaral, 2012;Mazini et al, 2013;Merino et al, 2018). Using the simulation method to analyze relations between new product development and OI, Merino et al (2018) verified that the generation and absorption of external knowledge and entry of new competitors can accelerate the innovation process, which tends to promote differentiation of value for the consumer and greater visibility of the product in the market.…”

“…Reame Junior & Amaral (2012) observed that factors such as trust, commitment, documented learning, team continuity, and good relationship are key elements for the good performance of these collaborative relationships in new product development projects. Enrique et al (2018) noted that information and communication technology tools are important to support collaborative practices between different partners in new product development processes, because these boost communication and cooperation in these kinds of projects.…”

Knowledge sharing in collaborative new product development: a study of grey box supplier involvement configuration

“…Knowledge sharing with external suppliers is a key factor for the NDP success (Petersen et al, 2005;Ayala et al, 2017;Enrique et al, 2018). Many authors contributed in expanding the understanding about how knowledge flows among individuals and organizations.…”

“…Considering the increasing need of multidisciplinary knowledge for the successful of NPD, there is a growing need of collaboration both internally and externally (Enrique et al, 2018). As stated by Enrique et al (2018), external partnership includes several distinct actors, such as customers, suppliers, universities and research institutes, and even competitors, being suppliers and customers are the most common ones.…”

“…Considering the increasing need of multidisciplinary knowledge for the successful of NPD, there is a growing need of collaboration both internally and externally (Enrique et al, 2018). As stated by Enrique et al (2018), external partnership includes several distinct actors, such as customers, suppliers, universities and research institutes, and even competitors, being suppliers and customers are the most common ones. The literature on participatory design and co-creation has been dedicated to study the mechanisms and ways such collaboration can results in innovation for NPD (Broberg & Conceição, 2017;Sinkovics et al, 2018).…”