Information styles of marketing and R&D personnel during technological product innovation projects

Abstract The research question in the present article can be phrased in the following way: what are the elements which influence the perception of the utility of information received from another function? A field study research has been conducted in 40 Belgian companies. In each company, we have studied two on-going innovation projects (one planning project, one development project). Crossfunctional communication behaviours at the R&D/marketing interface have been measured by means of mailed structured questionnaires. Three-hundred and eighty-six questionnaires have been returned. The data analyses show that there are four underlying information dimensions, i.e. the perceived relevance, the perceived comprehensibility, the perceived novelty and the perceived credibility of information. We also discuss some contingency variables (function of the message receiver, stage in the innovation process) that might moderate the impact of these dimensions. It will be shown that the interaction between source and receiver has a significant impact on the perceived credibility, the perceived comprehensibility and the perceived novelty of the received information.     

成品油销售网络投资项目后评价工作效果与问题评析

中国石油成品油销售网络投资项目后评价（简称＂销售项目后评价＂）工作促进了投资决策科学化、民主化、规范化管理水平的提高,促进了投资管理基础工作上台阶和后评价队伍整体素质的提高,丰富和发展了销售项目后评价的理论和实践。但是,由于开展销售项目后评价的历史较短,这一工作还处于起步阶段,不可避免仍存在一些问题——对后评价工作重要性的认识有待进一步提高;后评价方法体系需要不断完善;后评价成果信息的反馈与应用机制需要进一步健全;销售项目后评价专业人员比较缺乏,整体队伍素质需要进一步提高等。建议创新＂销售项目后评价＂方法体系,完善后评价管理制度,增强其实践指导作用;明确典型和单体项目选择依据和后评价工作经费来源及标准,保证该项工作的有效开展;进一步健全销售项目后评价成果的反馈和扩散机制,充分发挥后评价的作用;加强销售项目后评价专业队伍建设,规范咨询服务。     

对成品油销售网络投资项目后评价指标体系构建的探讨

项目后评价是构建高效投资体系的机制性保障,是在工程建设中实践科学发展观的具体体现。中国石油十分重视建设项目后评价工作,已经发布了勘探开发、炼油化工、管道、销售等几类项目的后评价报告编制细则,完成了一批典型项目详细后评价。成品油销售网络通常是指在某一地区范围内由若干加油站和油库所构成的成品油销售系统。成品油销售网络投资项目包括油库项目和加油站项目,具有网络性和系统性的特点,其后评价采用的方法和指标具有显著的行业特点。按照科学性、代表性、完整性和客观性的原则,立足于中国石油已发布的销售项目后评价编制细则,总结提出了中国石油成品油销售网络投资项目后评价指标体系,包括目标实现程度评价、前期工作、建设实施、生产运营、投资效益、影响与持续性6个一级指标,每个一级指标又包含若干二级指标。     

The effects of buyer-supplier's collaboration on knowledge and product innovation

Drawing on marketing and management literature, this study investigates integration mechanisms between channel members. Specifically, the research framework is built upon the buyer-supplier gray-box integration approach, knowledge-based view, and agency theory. This study identifies and compares the effects of two gray-box integration mechanisms, namely supplier task involvement and joint planning, on two kinds of knowledge acquisition. I find that both supplier task involvement and joint planning positively influence manufacturers' product knowledge acquisition and end customer knowledge acquisition. Supplier task involvement has a stronger effect on knowledge acquisition than joint planning. The relationships between integration mechanisms and knowledge acquisition are contingent upon supplier incentives. Furthermore, this study also extends the literature by comparing the effects of two different kinds of knowledge on product innovation performance. Even though both product and end customer knowledge lead to better product innovation performance, end customer knowledge has a stronger effect than product knowledge on product innovation performance. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed at the end.     

The effect of radical innovation in/congruence on new product performance

Radical innovation is critical for many firms and for society. This research focuses on the impact of radical innovation congruence — the degree to which management values regarding radical innovation match radical innovation norms in the business unit. We offer a model and empirically test it to assess the impact of radical innovation congruence on new product performance. We find that radical innovation norms are positively associated with new product performance, whereas we find no such association for management values and new product performance. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find a significant effect of radical innovation congruence on new product performance; however, we did find that radical innovation incongruence can have a positive effect on new product performance but only when radical innovation norms are higher than management values. Thus, we suggest that the unintended situation of radical innovation incongruence may result in some positive consequences after all. Further, high radical innovation norms, far more than management values, seem to be critical determinants of new product performance.     

浅议供应商管理

本文以实际工作为据,总结出一整套信息化管理供应商的办法.     

Managing learning in informal innovation networks: overcoming the Daphne-dilemma

In this article we discuss the nature and productivity of informal innovation networks, i.e. informal collaborative arrangements between organizations engaged in product or process innovation. Such networks can be used in any phase of the innovation process, but their informal nature makes them especially suited for its fuzzy front end. We explore their potential in technology exchange and learning on the basis of a combination of organization network theory and knowledge management theory. We discuss issues in network governance and network operational management and discuss the basic dilemma – which we named the Daphne-dilemma – facing attempts to improve the productivity of informal innovation networks: too little management effort may lead to under-exploitation of their potential and poor productivity, but too much management effort may destroy their informal nature and hence their creative and explorative potential.     

Applying fuzzy linguistic quantifier to select supply chain partners at different phases of product life cycle

Owing to rapidly growing global competition, enterprises are increasingly focusing on their core competencies. The focal company faces the challenge of creating alliances with more suppliers to create outsourcing synergy and provide heterogeneous products for customers. This study proposes a fuzzy multiple attribute decision making (FMADM) method based on the fuzzy linguistic quantifier. An attempt is made to ensure that the evaluation results satisfy the current product competition strategies, and also improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the entire supply chain. The fuzzy concept is applied to both the ordinal and cardinal information. Furthermore, the fuzzy linguistic quantifier guided order-weighted aggregation (FLQG-OWA) operator can be used to satisfy the enterprise product development strategy based on different phases of product life cycle.     

城市交通基础设施PPP项目产品／服务价格形成机理

论文在分析城市交通基础设施PPP项目经济特性、价格特征及存在问题的基础上,从PPP项目产品或服务价格形成机制、价格形成过程等角度探讨了城市交通基础设施PPP项目产品或服务价格的形成机理,以实现公众、私营投资者和政府三方"三赢"的目标,促进项目的健康发展.     

A cross-national investigation of the R&D-marketing interface in the product innovation process

Managing the interface between R&D and marketing is a critical element of successful new product development programs. The purpose of this research is twofold. First, we develop testable hypotheses from a theoretical model of cross-functional team management in the product innovation process based on the seminal work of Gupta, Raj, and Wilemon. We test the hypotheses using data collected from 376 U.S., 292 Chinese, and 279 Japanese firms. Second, we uncover and highlight similarities and differences in cross-functional involvement between marketing and R&D in the product innovation process across these three countries. The results generally provide overall support for the model and reveal some surprising cross-national differences.     

A service science framework to enhance value creation in service innovation projects. An RFID case study

This paper describes an IT-driven service innovation with an in-depth case study. The case study shows the different stages of RFID implementation in the jewellery supply chain of a retailer including all stakeholders. Based on a review of the literature on service engineering, information systems and management, we propose a framework to enhance IT-driven service innovation. Service science lacks procedures, methods and tools for developing new services. The main contributions of this paper lie in proposing a framework that supports service innovation in an IT-driven case. We illustrate our framework with an in-depth case study and infer lessons that can be useful to managers who wish to duplicate IT-driven service innovation for RFID technology. This framework includes both strategic and operational dimensions to help managers anticipate key challenges and pitfalls in service innovation projects.     

重大专项引领企业创新之路

1 创新之重--重大新药创制专项的意义　　2008年8月正式启动的重大新药创制科技重大专项是在落实国家把增强自主创新能力作为调整产业结构、转变经济增长方式的中心环节、建设创新型国家的重大战略转变中,依据<国家中长期科学和技术发展规划纲要(2006年～2020年)>而确定的科技重大专项. 重大新药创制专项旨在致力于研制具有自主知识产权的创新药物,建立和完善符合国际规范的新药研究技术平台,形成国家药物创新体系,提高自主创新能力,推动我国新药研究进程.……     

Development and return on execution of product innovation capabilities: The role of organizational structure

This paper conceptualizes and tests an integrated model that combines the dual-core and ambidextrous models of product innovation. The integrated model distinguishes the development and return on execution of radical and incremental product innovation capabilities. The authors argue that organizational structure plays an important dual role as an (a) antecedent to the development of radical and incremental product innovation capabilities and (b) as a moderator in determining the new product performance returns from executing such capabilities. Using a sample of high-tech firms, the study finds that organizational structure is more consistent in predicting the execution of product innovation capabilities into new product performance than in predicting the development of such capabilities. For example, the effect of radical product innovation capability on new product performance is negative but nonsignificant under a formal structure, while the same effect is positive under an informal structure. Conversely, the effect of incremental product innovation capability on new product performance is positive under a formal structure, while the same effect is negative under an informal structure. The implications for managing different types of product innovation capabilities under formal versus informal structures and their effects on new product performance are discussed.     

Relationship learning and innovation: The role of relationship-specific memory

This study investigates the relationship between relationship learning and innovation. It discusses the difference and relationship between knowledge flow and knowledge stock as embodied in relationship learning. Results show that information sharing and joint sensemaking (knowledge flow) are positively associated with relationship-specific memory (knowledge stock), and indirectly influence both explorative and exploitative innovation through their effects on relationship-specific memory. This study also examines the role of learning intent of individual firms in relationship learning. Results indicate that stronger learning intent enhances the effect of information sharing on relationship-specific memory. Finally, the study discusses several implications of this research and offers suggestions for future research.     

Linking learning and knowledge creation to project success in Six Sigma projects: An empirical investigation

This study investigates the impact of two organizational antecedents, (1) Six Sigma resources (technical) and (2) team psychological safety (social), on learning behaviour and knowledge creation and, in turn, on the success of Six Sigma process improvement projects. The paper proposes an integrated model to explain process improvement implementation success through two learning activities undertaken by Six Sigma project teams: Knowing-what and Knowing-how. The conceptualization of these knowledge types in this research is different from usual conceptualization as it represents the knowledge brought into projects through various phases of Six Sigma projects. The three hypotheses proposed in the model were tested using the data collected from 52 Six Sigma project teams from a single organization. Regression analysis showed psychological safety affects project performance through knowing-how. Regression and bootstrapping analyses showed resources influence project performance through the combined mediation of knowing-what and knowing-how.The paper provides an interdisciplinary treatment of knowledge management in process improvement teams, and offers a research model demonstrating how Six Sigma project teams promote deliberate organizational learning. By doing so, this study empirically establishes the notion that technical and social supports jointly impact the success of operations management initiatives such as Six Sigma through learning. The limitations of the study along with the future research directions are highlighted.     

The use of information technology tools in new product development phases: Analysis of effects on new product innovativeness, quality, and market performance

Extant research has largely ignored empirically examining how information technology (IT) affects new product effectiveness. Using the knowledge-based theory as a foundation, this study examines if, and how, particular IT tools used in the discovery, development, and commercialization phases of the new product development (NPD) process influence NPD effectiveness dimensions, namely, market performance, innovativeness, and quality of a new product. Based on data collected from NPD managers in the US and Canada, the findings indicate that specific IT tools contribute to various measures of new product effectiveness differently. Moreover, the results show the positive effect of these IT tools in different phases of the NPD process. This suggests that with regard to NPD, a decompositional approach that examines the role of IT within each phase of the NPD process is best. Based on these findings, the authors discuss theoretical and managerial implications of the study and suggest paths for future research. Managerially, some interesting results of our study are that decision support systems, file transfer protocols, and concept testing tools would significantly improve NPD effectiveness regardless of the phase they are used.     

煤矿矿长安全培训工作初探

针对目前我区煤矿矿长专业素质和文化素质、矿井井型和矿井灾害都有较大差异的现实,提出煤矿矿长的培训应该结合实际"分段"和"分级"培训、考核和发证,加大淘汰力度,逐步提高取证门槛,确保煤矿安全生产关口的前移.     

From the islands of knowledge to a shared understanding: interdisciplinarity and technology literacy for innovation in smart electronic product design

In the context of the evolving Internet, a balance between technological advances and meaning change is crucial to develop innovative and breakthrough “connected electronics” that enable the Internet of Things. Designers and technologists are key enablers of this process respectively, ensuring adequate users’ needs and technology development, inside the evolving context of social environment and human relations. Smart electronic product design must be a truly interdisciplinary process, in which technologists are aware of how much their decisions impact the user-product relationship and designers understand the full potential and associated limitations of technology involved. Shared knowledge and communication are essential in this scenario, but, due to their technological limitations, designers are often excluded from high-level decision processes. In this paper, we address the design of constructivist tools and associated strategy to enhance the technological literacy of designers, as a strong foundation for knowledge-based dialogue between these realms. We demonstrate its effectiveness in a long-term multidisciplinary Project-Based Learning application with Design and Electronics students. We present the cases from 2 years’ experimentation (with the first year as control group) that demonstrate improvement in the quality of teamwork; in learning results; improved performance of the students reflected in the quality of the projects developed; and positive teachers’ and students’ evaluations. We conclude that the use of the proposed tool not only provides the designer an active voice in the process of designing smart electronics, but also promotes an effective common language between these two worlds.