Ettlie, J.E. (1995). Product-Process Development Integration in Manufacturing. Management Science, 41(7), 1224-1237.

Format: Peer-reviewed article

Type: Research — Non-experimental

Experience level of reader: Advanced

Annotation: Results show that firms that establish their industry benchmarks based on product development practices, rather than based on product development performance, were more likely to apply design-manufacturing integration.

Setting(s) to which the reported activities/findings are relevant: Large business, Small business (less than 500 employees)

Knowledge user(s) to whom the piece of literature may be relevant: Manufacturers

Knowledge user level addressed by the literature: Organization

This article uses the Commercial Devices and Services version of the NtK Model

Method: Benchmarking involves reviewing the practices of other firms because of their known reputation for good performance. Firms that establish their industry benchmarks based on NPD practices, rather than based on NPD performance, were more likely to apply design-manufacturing integration (e.g., train personnel in new design methods, have manufacturing sign-off on design reviews, or restructure into cross-functional teams). The focus here is on product-process development integration — that set of focused, disciplined, rigorous practices designed to concentrate efforts on evolving from concepts to market introduction.
Survey of 43 U.S. firms.
Occurrence of finding within the model: Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7, Stage 8

• Close integration between product planning and manufacturing process decisions helps control the product offerings, stabilize process requirements, improve process technology choices, and increase net cash flows over time. (Kim et al [1992])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7, Stage 8

• As might be expected, product performance is significantly enhanced if those responsible for manufacturing are included in the product design process. (Bergen & McLaughlin [1992])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7, Stage 8

• Neither basic nor applied research has a direct affect on productivity growth, but each has a strong effect on product and process development. (Zhao & Bean [1991])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Stage 3