Globally distributed product development : role of complexity in the what, where and how

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2008. === Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. === Includes bibliographical references (p. 168-177). === This dissertation presents findings on four elements of the relationship between Global Product Development...

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Main Author: Makumbe, Pedzisayi O
Other Authors: Warren P. Seering.
Format: Others
Language:English
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2010
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/53212
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spelling ndltd-MIT-oai-dspace.mit.edu-1721.1-532122019-05-02T16:37:49Z Globally distributed product development : role of complexity in the what, where and how Makumbe, Pedzisayi O Warren P. Seering. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division. Engineering Systems Division. Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2008. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (p. 168-177). This dissertation presents findings on four elements of the relationship between Global Product Development or Globally distributed Product Development (GPD) and product complexity. I examine this relationship in the context of medical, industrial and electronic equipment developed for American companies outside each development program's home-country. In the first study, I use multinomial logistics models and find that product complexity, specificity, strategic importance and designing firm's capability are directly related to the modes of global product development. These modes are namely global partnerships, captive offshoring and global outsourcing. The more complex products are developed through global partnerships or captive offshores, while the less complex products are globally outsourced. However, the difference in complexity among the three modes varies by region when I divide the world into emerging and mature regions. It is largest in emerging regions and statistically non-significant in mature regions. In the second study, I investigate factors that drive product development to different countries around the world. Using negative binomial models, I find that market size, national capability and number of engineering graduates are directly related to the amount of product development in a particular country, while market growth rate and labor cost are not. I also find that as product complexity increases, the importance of the national capability as a location advantage increases, and that national and firm capability are statistically related to each other. (cont.) In the third study on host national culture, I find that national culture influences the internal team dynamics, but not necessarily where product development is eventually located. Finally, I qualitatively characterize the global product development strategy, organization structure, processes and people, and gather some recommended coordination practices. These include modularizing, not only the product, but the process as well to allow closed-loop monitoring in order to ensure that design expectations were perceived as intended. by Pedzisayi Onias Makumbe. Ph.D. 2010-03-25T15:15:30Z 2010-03-25T15:15:30Z 2008 2008 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/53212 528738901 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 181 p. application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology
collection NDLTD
language English
format Others
sources NDLTD
topic Engineering Systems Division.
spellingShingle Engineering Systems Division.
Makumbe, Pedzisayi O
Globally distributed product development : role of complexity in the what, where and how
description Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2008. === Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. === Includes bibliographical references (p. 168-177). === This dissertation presents findings on four elements of the relationship between Global Product Development or Globally distributed Product Development (GPD) and product complexity. I examine this relationship in the context of medical, industrial and electronic equipment developed for American companies outside each development program's home-country. In the first study, I use multinomial logistics models and find that product complexity, specificity, strategic importance and designing firm's capability are directly related to the modes of global product development. These modes are namely global partnerships, captive offshoring and global outsourcing. The more complex products are developed through global partnerships or captive offshores, while the less complex products are globally outsourced. However, the difference in complexity among the three modes varies by region when I divide the world into emerging and mature regions. It is largest in emerging regions and statistically non-significant in mature regions. In the second study, I investigate factors that drive product development to different countries around the world. Using negative binomial models, I find that market size, national capability and number of engineering graduates are directly related to the amount of product development in a particular country, while market growth rate and labor cost are not. I also find that as product complexity increases, the importance of the national capability as a location advantage increases, and that national and firm capability are statistically related to each other. === (cont.) In the third study on host national culture, I find that national culture influences the internal team dynamics, but not necessarily where product development is eventually located. Finally, I qualitatively characterize the global product development strategy, organization structure, processes and people, and gather some recommended coordination practices. These include modularizing, not only the product, but the process as well to allow closed-loop monitoring in order to ensure that design expectations were perceived as intended. === by Pedzisayi Onias Makumbe. === Ph.D.
author2 Warren P. Seering.
author_facet Warren P. Seering.
Makumbe, Pedzisayi O
author Makumbe, Pedzisayi O
author_sort Makumbe, Pedzisayi O
title Globally distributed product development : role of complexity in the what, where and how
title_short Globally distributed product development : role of complexity in the what, where and how
title_full Globally distributed product development : role of complexity in the what, where and how
title_fullStr Globally distributed product development : role of complexity in the what, where and how
title_full_unstemmed Globally distributed product development : role of complexity in the what, where and how
title_sort globally distributed product development : role of complexity in the what, where and how
publisher Massachusetts Institute of Technology
publishDate 2010
url http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/53212
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