REGULAR PAPER
Improving new product
development by screening
manufactured goods for potential
disbenefits and negative
consequences
Stephen Fox
VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland
Abstract
Purpose – New types of manufactured goods can have disbenefits and negative consequences, as
well as benefits and positive consequences. However, disbenefits and negative consequences have
received little consideration within manufacturing literature related to new product development
(NPD). The purpose of this paper is to provide preliminary analysis, and propose improvements to
NPD screening processes, which can facilitate reduction of disbenefits and negative consequences that
can arise from new manufactured goods.
Design/methodology/approach – The research comprised a review of the literature relating to:
new product development processes; disbenefits of manufactured goods; and negative consequences
arising from manufactured goods.
Findings – There is often broad consensus about the disbenefits of manufactured goods. However,
some disbenefits are not stopped before they have contributed to potentially irreversible negative
global consequences. This can be because there is often disagreement about, for example, the
composition and extent of negative consequences.
Practical implications – NPD processes should be improved to facilitate reduction of disbenefits
and negative consequences. In particular, the screening of new manufactured goods as they progress
from idea to concept to development should be improved.
Originality/value – The originality of the paper is that it provides descriptions of underlying
characteristics that differentiate disbenefits and negative consequences. These descriptions can enable
better understanding of how negative unintended consequences arise from the introduction of new
types of manufactured goods. The value of this paper is that it proposes improvements to NPD
screening processes that can facilitate reduction of disbenefits and their negative consequences.
Keywords Manufacturing industries, Product development, Research and development,
Consumer goods, Disbenefits, Negative consequences
Paper type Literature review
Introduction
There is an ever increasing variety of new manufactured goods. These include formless
materials, formed materials, perishable goods, mechanical goods, for example, fuel
additives, clothing, convenience food meals, transportation vehicles. Each new type of
manufactured good brings direct benefits to individual users. Together, the benefits from
different types of new manufactured goods combine to bring wider positive consequences
to many. However, new types of manufactured goods can also bring disbenefits, and wider
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Improving
new product
development
615
Received 1 April 2011
Revised 18 July 2011,
9 August 2011
Accepted 14 August 2011
Journal of Manufacturing Technology
Management
Vol. 23 No. 5, 2012
pp. 615-633
q Emerald Group Publishing Limited
1741-038X
DOI 10.1108/17410381211234435