Title: A system dynamics analysis of the interactions between multidimensional collaboration and collaborative product development cycle time

Authors: Howard Hao-Chun Chuang, Ming-Kuen Chen

Addresses: Department of Information and Operations Management, Mays Business School, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (77843-4113), USA. ' Institute of Commerce Automation and Management, National Taipei University of Technology, 1, Sec 3, Chung-Hsiao E. Road, Taipei (106), Taiwan

Abstract: Inspired by Three-Dimensional Concurrent Engineering (3DCE) (Fine, 1998), the authors propose the concept of multidimensional collaboration and establish a System Dynamics (SD) model to analyse the effect of multidimensional collaboration on Collaborative Product Development (CPD) cycle time through a case study of a Taiwanese high-tech electronics company. We also induce five key decision factors of implementing multidimensional collaboration in the CPD process: Product Data Management (PDM) maturity, collaborative Engineering Change Management (ECM), Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) information platform readiness, Supply Chain (SC) concurrency and IPR concurrency. After deploying the operational definitions of the factors and finishing SD modelling, the authors conduct expert interviews in S company in Taiwan|s thermal module industry to elicit practical data. Through computer simulation and Design of Experiment (DOE), which helps modellers identify significant experimental factors, we can observe their effects on reducing the CPD cycle time. In this way, the authors wish to consolidate the SD model to approach as closely as possible the operational context in the real world and enhance learning for the practitioners of CPD in high-tech sectors.

Keywords: multidimensional collaboration; collaborative product development; CPD; three-dimensional concurrent engineering; 3DCE; system dynamics; simulation; design of experiments; DOE; simultaneous engineering; cycle time; Taiwan; high-tech firms; high technology; electronics industry; product data management; PDM; engineering change management; ECM; intellectual property rights; IPR; supply chain concurrency; supply chain management; SCM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2009.025118

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2009 Vol.5 No.5, pp.637 - 661

Published online: 13 May 2009 *

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