Process and supplier capabilitiy, collaboration in new product development and competitive advantage: the moderating effect of research and develpoment capability
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
KNUST
Abstract
New product development plays a pivotal role in driving progress and gaining a competitive advantage for every country. The ever-evolving production technology and service landscape are impacting businesses worldwide. With product life cycles becoming increasingly shorter, the importance of effective new product development cannot be overstated. Small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and larger firms cannot rely solely on traditional methods like cost reduction to enhance competitiveness. Instead, a consistent approach and the development of fresh ideas are crucial for successful operations in today's market. This study aims to examine the influence of process and supplier capabilities, collaboration in new product development, and the moderating role of research and development capabilities on competitive advantage. An explanatory research design was employed, relying solely on quantitative methods and primary data sources. Convenience and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the study's respondents, resulting in a sample size of 250.The findings reveal that process capabilities have a positive and significant impact on collaboration in new product development. Similarly, supplier capabilities demonstrate a positive and significant influence on collaboration in new product development. Furthermore, collaboration in new product development is found to have a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage. The study also highlights the positive and significant moderating role of research and development capabilities in the relationship between collaboration in new product development and competitive advantage. Based on these findings, the study recommends that organizations provide periodic training and development opportunities for their staff to enhance task execution and achieve a competitive advantage. Additionally, establishing a dedicated research and development unit is crucial for identifying the most appropriate approaches in carrying out organizational activities. Finally, the management of organizations in Ghana should be willing to adapt their designs to meet customer demands and maintain competitiveness.
Description
A thesis submitted to the department of supply chain and information systems in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of master of science procurement and supply chain management