Knudsen, M.P. (2007). The relative importance of interfirm relationships and knowledge transfer for new product development success. Journal of Product Innovation Management, (24), 117-138.

Format: Peer-reviewed article

Type: Research — Non-experimental

Experience level of reader: Fundamental

Annotation: The article explores the extent to which external relationships are involved in NPD, and the relative contributions from various collaborating groups including: 1) customers, 2) suppliers, 3) competitors, 4) universities/private research institutes, or 5) consultants. The article also distinguishes between complementary knowledge, and supplementary knowledge, in the innovation process.

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

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

Knowledge user level addressed by the literature: Organization

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

• The decision to engage in inter-organizational relationships should balance the advantages of accessing new knowledge, new opportunities, and sharing of risk and cost, against the potential problems of losing control over knowledge involuntarily.
  Analysis of survey data from 557 firms across five industries in Europe.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 4.1

• Manufacturers involved various external groups to varying degrees at the completion of the product development process as follows: customers (39%), suppliers (44%), competitors (9%), universities/research institutes (14%).
  Analysis of survey data from 557 firms across five industries in Europe.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 6.4

• Manufacturers involved various external groups to varying degrees in the early Ideation stage as follows: customers (55%), suppliers (35%), competitors (36%), universities/research institutes (12%).
  Analysis of survey data from 557 firms across five industries in Europe.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 1.3