Using network analysis to evaluate success factors for new product development

Although new product development (NPD) is dynamic and complex in nature, it still needs to be designed and managed. Applying systems thinking helps R&D managers to design their engineering organization and to improve engineering performance. However, no meta-analysis of NPD success factors has focused on causal networks between identified factors. Thus, network analysis was applied within a multiple case study context. Results indicate that success factors trying to explain new product development success are highly interrelated. Using two network analysis approaches, it was possible to build several clusters based on the functional roles of the factors. First, factors were ranked due to their degree of activeness. Second, the overall system contribution of each factor was determined. The results help R&D managers to identify patterns of system behavior and key variables, which are essential to increase engineering performance.