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CURRENT CHALLENGES IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES OF SWISS SMEs

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  • JOHANNES HECK

    (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • MIRKO MEBOLDT

    (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland)

Abstract

Conducting innovation activities receives increasing attention in SMEs. These activities can be formalized in the product development processes (PDPs), but especially challenges in PDPs affect the SMEs’ innovation capability (IC). Based on a thorough understanding of these challenges, we aim at improving the SMEs’ IC. We address our research question ‘what are the current challenges in PDPs of SMEs?’ with conducting in 13 SMEs semi-structured in-depth interviews with CEOs, innovation managers, and heads of R&D. We identify 30 challenges, aggregated in the themes: iteration, decision making, and stakeholder involvement. While our results extend recent literature regarding current challenges in PDP, they also reveal the SMEs’ needed for effective means to tackle their challenges, and in turn to enhance their IC.

Suggested Citation

  • Johannes Heck & Mirko Meboldt, 2016. "CURRENT CHALLENGES IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES OF SWISS SMEs," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 20(05), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ijimxx:v:20:y:2016:i:05:n:s1363919616400090
    DOI: 10.1142/S1363919616400090
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    Cited by:

    1. Muhammad Iqbal & Amalia Suzianti, 2021. "New Product Development Process Design for Small and Medium Enterprises: A Systematic Literature Review from the Perspective of Open Innovation," JOItmC, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-19, June.

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