Title: Utilising computerised tools and IT in new product development to constitute firms' financial performance and the impact of R&D intensity

Authors: Tanyanuparb Anantana; Takao Enkawa; Sadami Suzuki

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, 239, Huay Kaew Road, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Graduate School of Decision Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Graduate School of Decision Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan

Abstract: By using New Product Development Scorecard (NPDSC) as a data collecting tool, field surveys were conducted for 396 participating firms in 14 Japanese manufacturing industries. According to the results of the analyses, two elements of 'development strategy and organisation' and 'development production technology' are identified as enabling factors for the complement of utilising tools and IT in NPD. It is also suggested that in order to make a positive impact on financial performance, tools and IT should have to be incorporated with these enabling factors. In addition, it is found that level of utilisation capability of tools and IT is significantly higher in high R&D intensity groups compared to the low ones. And the level of R&D intensity affects the implementation methods of tools and IT for NPD and the contribution to financial performance, as well. Consequently, useful managerial implications are provided in this work.

Keywords: firm performance; financial performance; information technology; computerised tools; NPD scorecard; new product development; research and development; R&D intensity; Japan; manufacturing industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2015.071404

International Journal of Product Development, 2015 Vol.20 No.4, pp.325 - 353

Accepted: 16 Jan 2012
Published online: 25 Aug 2015 *

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