Title: Digital-physical product development: a review and research agenda

Authors: Stine Hendler; Harry Boer

Addresses: Center for Industrial Production, Aalborg University, Fibigerstraede 16, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark ' Center for Industrial Production, Aalborg University, Fibigerstraede 16, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary

Abstract: Companies are increasingly digitally augmenting previously non-digital products. This requires significant changes in the product development process and its supporting context within the companies. However, only little relevant literature exists. The aim of this paper is to develop a platform for further research within this new field by reviewing available literature characterising digital-physical development and proposing a research model and agenda. The paper reveals a scattered and immature field of research. While digital-physical product development is of huge industrial importance, few papers specifically address the phenomenon and, then, they typically only focus on one or two constructs. So far, we are in the very beginning of theory development. Directions for literature research in adjacent areas are proposed, together with case study and action research methods to explore fitting digital-physical development practices and their context.

Keywords: digital-physical; smart products; new product development; agile development; digital innovation; digitised products; digitalisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2019.099769

International Journal of Technology Management, 2019 Vol.80 No.1/2, pp.12 - 35

Published online: 21 May 2019 *

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