Title: Analysis of interactions among lean barriers in new product development

Authors: Santosh B. Rane; Sachit G. Nalaskar

Addresses: Sardar Patel College of Engineering (SPCE), Andheri – W, Mumbai-400058, India ' Sardar Patel College of Engineering (SPCE), Andheri – W, Mumbai-400058, India

Abstract: In a competitive business environment, industries are focusing more on NPD to survive in the market and adopting new tools and techniques for optimising resources. Exhaustive literature survey (LS) shows lack of usage of lean practices for NPD. In this research, a total of 30 lean barriers involved in NPD have been identified based on LS, out of which 12 barriers have been shortlisted based on experts' inputs. This research has identified linkage barriers (lack of top management commitment, employee resistance, lack of skills and training, lack of awareness of environmental norms, unsuitable market share by product) and independent barriers [lack of Government policy/support for lean product development (LPD), concern about the impact of change on regulatory compliance, cultural difference of team members] based on interpretive structural modelling (ISM) analysis. This paper concludes that the success of lean implementation depends on managements' determination, workers' attitude, and organisational culture. A total of 12 strategies have been developed to deal with the critical lean barriers involved in NPD, which can ensure the success of NPD.

Keywords: new product development; NPD; lean; lean barriers; interpretive structural modelling; ISM; MICMAC analysis; lean NPD.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2021.120221

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2021 Vol.13 No.1/2/3, pp.145 - 181

Received: 24 Jun 2020
Accepted: 06 Nov 2020

Published online: 11 Jan 2022 *

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