Managing Communication in New Product Development Process: Virtual R&D Teams and Information Technology

United Kingdom - Malaysia - Ireland Engineering Science Conference, pp. 495-502, 2011

8 Pages Posted: 30 Oct 2011 Last revised: 22 Jun 2014

See all articles by Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

Research and Technology Department, Alzahra University, Vanak, Tehran, Iran, Postcode: 19938 93973; Centre for Research Services, Institute of Management and Research Services (IPPP), University of Malaya (UM); University of Malaya (UM) - Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture

Shamsuddin Ahmed

University of Malaya (UM)

Salwa Hanim Abdul Rashid

University of Malaya (UM) - Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture

Zahari Taha

University Malaysia Pahang - Department of Manufacturing Engineering

Date Written: July 12, 2011

Abstract

Literature proves the importance of the role of information technology in increasing the effectiveness of virtual R&D teams’ communication for new product development. However, the factors that make information technology construct in a virtual R&D team are still ambiguous. Managers of virtual R&D teams for new product development do not know “which type of technology should be used”. To address the gap and answer the question, the paper presents a set of factors that make a construct that contribute to effective communication strategy for virtual R&D teams. The proposed construct has been modified based on the findings of a field survey. This work empirically examines the relationship between information technology construct and its factors by employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). A measurement model is built based on the 19 preliminary chosen factors that have been extracted from literature review. The result shows that 10 factors can make a technology construct. These 10 factors can be grouped into two different constructs, namely Web-based communication and Web-based data sharing. The study findings can help new product developers to concentrate on the main factors for leading effective communications among virtual R&D team members. In addition, this work provides a guideline for software developers to create appropriate tools for virtual R&D teams.

Keywords: Virtual R&D teams, Collaboration, Questionnaires, Performance, Cross-Functional teams, Product development, Structural equation modeling, Measurement model

JEL Classification: L1, L11,L7, M11, M12, M1, M54, Q1, O1, O3, O32, P42, P24, P29, L17, Q31, Q32

Suggested Citation

Ale Ebrahim, Nader and Ahmed, Shamsuddin and Abdul Rashid, Salwa Hanim and Taha, Zahari, Managing Communication in New Product Development Process: Virtual R&D Teams and Information Technology (July 12, 2011). United Kingdom - Malaysia - Ireland Engineering Science Conference, pp. 495-502, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1951077

Nader Ale Ebrahim (Contact Author)

Research and Technology Department, Alzahra University, Vanak, Tehran, Iran, Postcode: 19938 93973 ( email )

Iran

Centre for Research Services, Institute of Management and Research Services (IPPP), University of Malaya (UM) ( email )

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50603
University of Malaya (UM)
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50603
Malaysia

HOME PAGE: http://https://umresearch.um.edu.my/

University of Malaya (UM) - Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture ( email )

Kuala Lumpur, 50603
Malaysia

Shamsuddin Ahmed

University of Malaya (UM) ( email )

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50603
University of Malaya (UM)
Kuala Lumpur, 50603
Malaysia

Salwa Hanim Abdul Rashid

University of Malaya (UM) - Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture ( email )

Kuala Lumpur, 50603
Malaysia

Zahari Taha

University Malaysia Pahang - Department of Manufacturing Engineering ( email )

Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang 26300
Malaysia

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