Chen, C. (2007). Information Technology, Organizational Structure, and New Product Development — The Mediating Effect of Cross-Funcational Team Interaction. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 54(4), 687-698.

Format: Peer-reviewed article

Type: Research — Non-experimental

Experience level of reader: Fundamental

Annotation: The study examined the relationships among information technology, organizational structure, cross-functional team interaction, and their combined effect on NPD. While technology and structures improve NDP performance, they do so by improving the internal and external communication and interactions among cross-functional team members.

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: Brokers, Manufacturers

Knowledge user level addressed by the literature: Organization

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

• Organizational Structure facilitates communication. The characteristics of the organizational structure are shown to facilitate cross-functional team work if they are less centralized and less formal. This structure provides a great deal of freedom for team members to do their work, and facilitate free-flowing communication and coordination among the members.
  Survey of manufacturers in Taiwan (n = 102).
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 4.6

• Information Technology can be designed to facilitate communication and interaction among cross-functional team members, both for internal and external communications. The IT provides conveniences for team member discussions and information exchanges at any time or place.
  Survey of manufacturers in Taiwan (n = 102).
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 4.6