抄録
Impacts of fuzzy front end (FFE) activities on the new product development (NPD) process were analysed in Japanese manufacturing firms employing data from a comparative study which was collected in 2003 (that refers to the late 1980s) and 2014 (that refers to the late 2000s). Based on previous research a conceptual model was developed. The framework model of NPD process consists of three phases – project success phase (effectiveness and efficiency), project execution phase (deviations from specifications and project revision), FFE phase (reduction of market uncertainty, reduction of technical uncertainty and intensity of initial planning) and contextual factors (degree of marketing newness, degree of technical newness and degree of organizational newness). Data consisting of 540 NPD projects collected in 2003 and data consisting of 160 NPD projects collected in 2014 from Japanese manufacturing firms were analysed using the Structural Equation Modeling technique. Results suggest that Japanese firms tended to employ FFE activities in 2000s as they had in the 1980s. Moreover, we found that, reduction of market uncertainty and initial planning activities were key success factors in both periods. However, the effect of FFE activities on project success decreased in the 2000s compared to the 1980s. Moreover, in the 1980s Japanese manufacturing firms tended to allow for more flexibility in initial plans, in the project execution phase than they did in the 2000s.Japanese manufacturing firms were analysed using the Structural Equation Modeling technique. Results suggest that Japanese firms tended to employ FFE activities in 2000s as they had in the 1980s. Moreover, we found that, reduction of market uncertainty and initial planning activities were key success factors in both periods. However, the effect of FFE activities on project success decreased in the 2000s compared to the 1980s. Moreover, in the 1980s Japanese manufacturing firms tended to allow for more flexibility in initial plans, in the project execution phase than they did in the 2000s.
