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Product configurator impact on product quality

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  • Trentin, Alessio
  • Perin, Elisa
  • Forza, Cipriano

Abstract

More and more firms today rely on product configurators to more efficiently and effectively meet increasingly diverse customers’ needs. In literature, however, the discussion of the performance outcomes of product configurator use is limited and largely based on anecdotal evidence. Our paper contributes to fill this gap by developing and empirically testing hypotheses about the relationship between product configurator use and product quality. We find empirical support for the hypotheses that product configurator use improves product quality and that this relationship is negatively moderated by the difficulty for a company to determine the needs of its target market. We conclude by discussing implications of our findings for both research and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Trentin, Alessio & Perin, Elisa & Forza, Cipriano, 2012. "Product configurator impact on product quality," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(2), pages 850-859.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:135:y:2012:i:2:p:850-859
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2011.10.023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Linda Zhang & Carman K.M. Lee & Pervaiz Akhtar, 2020. "Towards customization: Evaluation of integrated sales, product, and production configuration," Post-Print hal-03276827, HAL.
    2. Dominik Jung & Verena Dorner & Christof Weinhardt & Hakan Pusmaz, 2018. "Designing a robo-advisor for risk-averse, low-budget consumers," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 28(3), pages 367-380, August.
    3. Garrido-Vega, Pedro & Ortega Jimenez, Cesar H. & de los Ríos, José Luis Díez Pérez & Morita, Michiya, 2015. "Implementation of technology and production strategy practices: Relationship levels in different industries," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 201-216.
    4. Tookanlou, Parisa Bagheri & Wong, Hartanto, 2020. "Determining the optimal customization levels, lead times, and inventory positioning in vertical product differentiation," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    5. Nurmala Nurmala, 2018. "Building Competitive Advantage for Economic Performance: A Study of the Palm Plantation Company in West Kalimantan," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 8(5), pages 172-183.
    6. Roselia Servín-Juárez & Carlos J. O. Trejo-Pech & Alma Yanet Pérez-Vásquez & Álvaro Reyes-Duarte, 2021. "Specialty Coffee Shops in Mexico: Factors Influencing the Likelihood of Purchasing High-Quality Coffee," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-20, March.
    7. repec:tkp:ijsrsy:v:2:y:2012:i:2:p:109-130 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Zhang, Linda L. & Shafiee, Sara, 2022. "Developing separate or integrated configurators? A longitudinal case study," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 249(C).
    9. Zhang, Linda L. & Lee, Carman K.M. & Akhtar, Pervaiz, 2020. "Towards customization: Evaluation of integrated sales, product, and production configuration," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    10. Pierre-Antoine Arrighi & Céline Mougenot, 2019. "Towards user empowerment in product design: a mixed reality tool for interactive virtual prototyping," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 743-754, February.
    11. Nikolaus Kangas & Hanna Kropsu-Vehkapera & Harri Haapasalo & Tuomo Kinnunen, 2013. "Empirical Aspects on Defining Product Data for Rapid Productisation," International Journal of Synergy and Research, ToKnowPress, vol. 2(2), pages 109-130.
    12. Pai Zheng & Xun Xu & Chun-Hsien Chen, 2020. "A data-driven cyber-physical approach for personalised smart, connected product co-development in a cloud-based environment," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Springer, vol. 31(1), pages 3-18, January.

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