Virtual R&D Teams: A New Model for Product Development

Authors

  • Nader Ale Ebrahim University of Malaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5585/iji.v3i2.43

Keywords:

Virtual R&D teams, Collaborative teams, Questionnaires, Team performance, Cross-functional teams, Product development

Abstract

Increased global competitions have urged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop new products faster. Virtual research and development (R&D) teams in SMEs can offer a solution to speed up time-to-market of new product development (NPD). However, factors that affect the effectiveness of virtual teams for NPD are still not adequately verified. This paper presents the correlations between virtual R&D team constructs and virtual team effectiveness by developing a “Virtual Research and Development Team” (ViR&DT) model. The items, which may influence the effectiveness of virtual teams, are taken from the literature. Through an online survey and by application of structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, the proposed model (ViR&DT) has been tested. The results suggest that the process construct is strongly correlated to the effectiveness of virtual teams. Therefore, NPD managers in virtual R&D teams should concentrate on the process of new product development rather than simply equipping the teams with the latest technology or employing highly qualified experts. Further empirical research is recommended to fully explore and appreciate the breadth of application of the ViR&DT model.

Virtual R&D Teams: A New Model for Product Development

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Author Biography

Nader Ale Ebrahim, University of Malaya

Nader Ale Ebrahim has a Technology Management PhD degree from the Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya. He holds a Master of Science in the mechanical engineering from University of Tehran with distinguishedhonors, as well as more than 17 years experience in the establishing R&D department in different companies, project director and projectcoordinator and Knowledge based systems implementation in R&D department. His current research interests are focused on managing virtual new product development teams in SMEs R&D centers. His papers/articles have presented in the several conferences.

his profile at: www.researcherid.com/rid/C-2414-2009

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Published

20.10.2015

How to Cite

Ebrahim, N. A. (2015). Virtual R&D Teams: A New Model for Product Development. International Journal of Innovation, 3(2), 01–27. https://doi.org/10.5585/iji.v3i2.43

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2015): July-December

Section

Articles

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