Speed: Too much of a good thing?

Jiyao Chen, Richard R. Reilly, Gary S. Lynn

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Time-based strategy has become the latest key to competitive advantage. However, the implicit assumption that speed has a linear relationship with project success lacks examination. Several perspectives including time compression diseconomies resulting from the limits of the capacity for human information processing, bounded rationality of decision making, "absorptive capability" of organizations, and organizational learning, are applied to the study of new product development (NPD) teams. We argue that uncertainty is a critical contingency for understanding speed in NPD. We propose that whether speed has a linear or curvilinear relationship with success will depend upon the degree of uncertainty. Our results show that the relationship is curvilinear when either technology uncertainty or market turbulence is high but linear when such uncertainty is low. In contrast, we find a curvilinear relationship under conditions of low market newness but not under conditions of high market newness. An important implication is that it is necessary to analyze the source and degree of uncertainty of a project before a time-based strategy is selected. The limitations and future research related to these results are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPICMET '05
Subtitle of host publicationPortland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology - Technology Management: A Unifying Discipline for Melting the Boundaries
Pages520-532
Number of pages13
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005
EventPICMET '05: Portland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology - Portland, OR, United States
Duration: 31 Jul 20054 Aug 2005

Publication series

NamePortland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology
Volume2005

Conference

ConferencePICMET '05: Portland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPortland, OR
Period31/07/054/08/05

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