Aligning New Product Development and Supply Chains: Development of a Theoretical Framework and Analysis of Case Studies

摘要

The objective of this paper is to develop a framework explaining the determinants of alignment of new product development (NPD) and supply chain management (SCM). A preliminary framework, established on the basis of existing literature, could not be supported by an exploratory case study, conducted with industry. Therefore, using the insights gained from theory and practice, we extend this framework and develop a more comprehensive one. Variety, modularity, and innovativeness are the product features that should be taken into account when studying alignment. From the supply chain viewpoint, configuration, collaboration, and coordination complexities are the variables that matter. The framework also shows how the variables are related to each other. Variety and innovativeness directly impact all the supply chain variables, but modularity only influences configuration and collaboration. The final framework is then applied to five case studies. There is evidence that innovativeness, a variable so far neglected when dealing with the alignment question, has a critical impact on supply chain management decisions.