Abstract

Based on deep-interviews and an industry-wide survey, this study investigated product development in the Swedish and Finnish wood industry. Industry and market changes were found to be the primary drivers of product development. Managers mentioned differentiation, defence of market position, forward integration and entrance into new markets as common reason for starting development projects. Product development was found to be organised in flexible and informal projects relying on test- and feedback procedures. Shortages of time and resources for development work and uncertainties related to raw-material, production and market were seen as major obstacles for product development in the industry. Large, pine-focussed business units that were active in furtherprocessing had the highest innovation frequency. Key factors for successful product development include strong customer relations; promotion of entrepreneurship and market orientation; establishment of a product development function; and set up of rapid and informal, yet complete and well-defined cross-functional development projects led by a strong leader. A mix of academic and experience-based competence; product strategies based on advantage and resource fit; and access to flexible and versatile production equipment were also identified as important prerequisites for success

Keywords

nnovation; product development; wood industry; sawmilling; resource-based view; exploratory study

Published in

Rapport (SLU, Institutionen för skogens produkter)
2007, number: 4
Publisher: SLU/Skogens produkter

SLU Authors

• Stendahl, Matti

  • Department of Forest Products, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/15227