Title: Success factors of product concepts for convergence products in the telecommunications, internet, media, and entertainment industries

Authors: Daniel Holle; Stefan Hüsig; Michael Dowling; Nikolaus Mohr

Addresses: Google Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA ' Innovation Research and Sustainable Resource Management, Technische Universität Chemnitz, 09126 Chemnitz, Germany ' Management of Innovation and Technology, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany ' Strategic Transformation Management, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany

Abstract: The convergence of the Telecom, Internet, Media and Entertainment (T.I.M.E.) markets has been taking place for decades, but many convergence products designed and marketed by experienced corporations have failed. We propose that the problems associated with newly developed convergence products are often the result of poorly defined product concepts. Specific research on product development and product concepts that is focused on convergence in these industries has so far been largely lacking. In this empirical study, we derived 18 hypotheses on the success factors of convergence products based on information attained from a literature review and interviews with industry experts. We tested these hypotheses using a large scale survey conducted in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. We identified 13 success factors as being relevant for product market success, seven of them being of particular importance. The findings expand on the existing findings on success factors for product development as well as convergence research and practice.

Keywords: telecommunications industry; internet industry; media industry; entertainment industry; convergence products; product development; product concepts; success factors; Germany; Austria; Switzerland.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2015.071401

International Journal of Product Development, 2015 Vol.20 No.4, pp.304 - 324

Accepted: 10 Feb 2015
Published online: 25 Aug 2015 *

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