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 |
| Place of Publication | Enschede |
| Publisher | Continuous Innovation Network |
| Publication date | 2013 |
| Edition | 14 |
| Pages | 174-184 |
| 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 |