Abstract:
Abstract
The aim of this research is to identify novel functions and design principles for
performance measurement which assist the user in better managing knowledge reuse
and invention in New Product Development (NPD) environments.
Within this research performance management is defined as the methods, processes,
structures and behavioural patterns an organisation uses to improve the performance
of its knowledge asset invention and reuse activities. Performance management may
be used during the strategic and operative planning, implementation and
communication stages of knowledge asset invention and reuse. Performance
measurement is defined as the process that gathers and records the effectiveness and
efficiency of the implementation and planning stages.
There is a rich body of performance measurement, knowledge management and NPD
literature. However there is a lack of understanding of how performance can be
managed and measured in the NPD context explicitly focusing on knowledge reuse
and invention. Performance measurement of knowledge is emerging as a possible
mechanism to support improvement in highly complex NPD environments.
Based on an extensive literature review, a definition of performance management and
measurement has been elaborated as well as a taxonomy of purposes for performance
measurement which is the base-line for this research. The purposes have been used to
derive a set of requirements for performance measurement from a knowledge reuse
and invention perspective. The requirements in turn have led to the detailed formulation
of those functions needed to support effective performance measurement targeted to
the specific context of knowledge reuse and invention.
Performance measurement theory resulting in novel performance measurement
functions has been developed, implemented and tested in four businesses (ranging
from 45 to 7000 employees). The research is of a problem-oriented nature starting from
a real-world problem, relying mainly on phenomenological and qualitative data analysis
principles due to the "messy" nature of the problem. The analysis is based on direct
interaction with more than 30 users of the functions (being the Performance
Measurement Infrastructure, the framework, the catalogue, the software, and the build
and implementation method).
The major contributions to knowledge of this research can be summarised as follows:
U Provision of comprehensive design principles for a performance measurement
framework targeted to knowledge reuse and invention in NPD.
U Delivery of a well-structured reuse and invention measurement catalogue
embedding a set of specific reuse and invention focused measures.
U Using the knowledge asset structuring concept from Knowledge Management and
integrating with performance measurement principles. This is embodied in a novel
Performance Measurement Infrastructure which applies measures directly to
knowledge asset reuse and invention in NPD.
U Design principles for an enabling information technology solution for the above
modules.
U A build and implementation methodology which embodies knowledge on how to
build and implement reuse and invention oriented performance measurement
functions.