Implementing "Design for Supply Chain" to Enhance New Product Development: A Design Science Approach

Abstract

In today’s manufacturing environment, characterised by continuous innovation and disruptions, the success of new product development (NPD) projects depends on the ability to adapt and scale swiftly. In an era where technology and mobility trends like electrification and digitalisation are propelling the need for frequent product iterations and a rapid time-to-market, supply chain design (SCD) becomes a vital part of NPD projects. Anchored in Design Science Research (DSR) philosophy, this research builds on the existing concept of Three-Dimensional Concurrent Engineering (3-DCE), evolving towards a proposed definition of Design for Supply Chain (DfSC). The study operationalises DSR with the following methods: first, a research synthesis to identify underlying mechanisms for the adoption of DfSC; second, a scenario-based experiment to identify and assess perception asymmetries; and third, the gamification of the scenario that constitutes an artefact solution to the research problem. The methodology also encompasses workshops conducted in leading automotive and aerospace organisations and expert validation interviews, whose insights allow for the development of a roadmap for DfSC implementation. The findings suggest that 3-DCE is not rooted in managerial decision-making, highlighting the need to incorporate the behavioural dimension in the study of DfSC adoption. Accordingly, this research constructed a boundary object to facilitate the transformation of existing behaviours towards DfSC behaviours, offering a fresh perspective on existing knowledge. The research identifies a learning culture and effective leadership commitment as essential to closing functional perception asymmetries. This thesis contributes to the broader discourse by offering a richer empirical understanding of functional perception asymmetries in the context of SCD in NPD projects while formulating key findings to facilitate the adoption of DfSC behaviours in NPD teams. Through these insights, it empowers decision-makers and organisations with a refined roadmap for DfSC implementation to navigate the complexities of modern manufacturing product development.