Abstract
The literature promises a large range of benefits to firms that adopt product
modularity. However, the term product modularity is ambiguously understood
and its benefits have not been empirically validated through large-scale
studies. By reviewing existing literature, this paper seeks to operationalise
product modularity and firm performance, to support further and more
detailed empirical studies of product modularity’s performance effects. The
review shows that, so far, the operationalisation of product modularity has
been incomplete, and suggests that modularity needs to be operationalised by
assessing the level of 1) standardisation of a product portfolio’s modules
(including functional specificity) and 2) standardisation of module interfaces
(including decomposability). Furthermore, in order for the research
community to move forward, performance effects need to be examined on a
more operational level, by looking at performance indicators for both the
product development and production processes in the firm.
modularity. However, the term product modularity is ambiguously understood
and its benefits have not been empirically validated through large-scale
studies. By reviewing existing literature, this paper seeks to operationalise
product modularity and firm performance, to support further and more
detailed empirical studies of product modularity’s performance effects. The
review shows that, so far, the operationalisation of product modularity has
been incomplete, and suggests that modularity needs to be operationalised by
assessing the level of 1) standardisation of a product portfolio’s modules
(including functional specificity) and 2) standardisation of module interfaces
(including decomposability). Furthermore, in order for the research
community to move forward, performance effects need to be examined on a
more operational level, by looking at performance indicators for both the
product development and production processes in the firm.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 14th International CINET Conference : Business Development and Co-creation |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Place of Publication | Enschede |
| Publisher | Continuous Innovation Network |
| Publication date | 2013 |
| Edition | 14 |
| Pages | 577-591 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-90-77360-16-3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
| Event | International CINET conference: Business Development and Co-creation - Nijmegen, Netherlands Duration: 8 Sept 2012 → 11 Sept 2013 Conference number: 14 |
Conference
| Conference | International CINET conference |
|---|---|
| Number | 14 |
| Country/Territory | Netherlands |
| City | Nijmegen |
| Period | 08/09/2012 → 11/09/2013 |
Bibliographical note
Can involving stakeholders really help avoid commercialization challenges?This paper examines the commercialization challenges that arise when large European companies launches a new, innovative wind power tower structure into the markets.
The paper concludes that some of the challenges are:
1.Fear of risk due to lack of demonstrated use experience
2.perception of solution not being ready and
3.doubts about its effectiveness, and public opposition.
Published: 2013
Keywords
- Commercialization challenges
- Stakeholder involvement
- Technological innovation