Tailored Conceptual Frameworks for Early Supplier Involvement in High-Value Product Development: A Case-Based Approach

Abstract

As high-value products (HVPs) are fundamentally different from commodity products such as electronic products, the practices derived from such commodity products cannot be deployed directly to the HVP industry to further the objectives of early supplier involvement (ESI). To this end, a conceptual framework of ESI for HVP manufacturers is proposed based on success factors and existing models of ESI together with the features of HVP industries. A case study approach based on six leading companies from three typical HVP industries is conducted to validate the conceptual model proposed in the research and prove its applicability to HVP industries premised upon extant literature. Therefore, this research aims to address this problem through a combination of a critical literature review and a case study approach. The case study results demonstrate approach as to how the conceptual model for ESI can be directly applied to HVP manufacturers. ESI is a significant lever in achieving success in new product development (NDP), particularly in the context of high-value, complex and layered products such as aircraft, trains and automobiles. Although ESI practices have long been part of HVP development, few researchers have focused on the development of generalized ESI architecture in the HVP industry. The results of the case study show that the conceptual model for ESI can be directly applied to HVP manufacturers. For HVP manufacturers, this framework can help to implement ESI in their NPD project by guiding how to manage and coordinate both parties, that is, the manufacturer and the supplier.