Browsing by Author "Jacobs, Keith"

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    A new product development practices model for small and medium engineering enterprises
    (2010) Jacobs, Keith; Gryzagoridis, Jasson
    The work presented here describes the development and validation of a diagnostic New Product Development Practices (NPDP) Model for the sustainability of Small and Medium Engineering Enterprises (SMEEs). A review of the literature regarding the sustainability of SMEEs, supported with the data gathered through the case study of a sample of SMEEs, led to the creation of a model. The model consists of unique elements such as the Innovative Engine and an environment called the Innovative Space. This model was used to shape further data collection instruments since it represented the ideal status in terms of sustainability potential or a measure of a particular SMEE. Comprehensive data relating to the various components of the NPDP model were gathered from 18 SMEEs. The SMEEs were chosen from a governmental database of small enterprises in the manufacturing sector of the Western Cape. Analysis of the data yielded a classification of these SMEEs in terms of their sustainability potential. This depended on the level of their NPDP as compared with the ones indicated by the proposed model. On the assumption that proof of sustainability of a SMEE is in its “growth”, the 18 SMEEs were re-visited after a period of three years, i.e.: from the original data collection that informed the model and subsequent classification. Data regarding their growth was collected. Analysis of this latest set of data revealed that most companies performed as expected, based on their potential for sustainability within a range of “growth factor” values.