Title: New product development in knowledge-based manufacturing SMEs active in the ICT industry: a conceptual framework

Authors: Mohammad Reza Meigounpoory; Mohsen Mohammadi Jozani

Addresses: Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Farshi Moghadam (16 St.), North Kargar Ave., Tehran, 14398143141, Iran ' Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Farshi Moghadam (16 St.), North Kargar Ave., Tehran, 14398143141, Iran

Abstract: The growth in popularity and application of information and communication technology (ICT) products is exponential. However, rapid technological changes, numerous market players, and extremely short product life cycles have rendered the new product development process in ICT both challenging and risky. Although various ICT related new product development (NPD) models have been developed over recent decades, these models are product or company specific and could not capture the essence of NPD in ICT industry holistically. The present paper proposes a conceptual framework for the development of new products in information and communications technology industry using a comprehensive literature survey as well as semi-structured interviews. The framework is based on a stage gate process model and aims for comprehensiveness and relevance to the context of ICT industry. Although the framework is based on Iranian companies, most of the aspects are recognised in NPD literature; thus, the findings could have broad applicability.

Keywords: new product development; NPD; ICT industry; conceptual framework; manufacturing SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises; information and communications technology; information technology; stage gate process; process modelling; Iran.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTE.2016.080256

International Journal of Technoentrepreneurship, 2016 Vol.3 No.2, pp.114 - 126

Accepted: 02 Mar 2016
Published online: 09 Nov 2016 *

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