New product development in knowledge-based manufacturing SMEs active in the ICT industry: a conceptual framework

The growth in popularity and application of information and communication technology (ICT) products is exponential. However, rapid technological changes, numerous market players, and extremely short product life cycles have rendered the new product development process in ICT both challenging and risky. Although various ICT related new product development (NPD) models have been developed over recent decades, these models are product or company specific and could not capture the essence of NPD in ICT industry holistically. The present paper proposes a conceptual framework for the development of new products in information and communications technology industry using a comprehensive literature survey as well as semi-structured interviews. The framework is based on a stage gate process model and aims for comprehensiveness and relevance to the context of ICT industry. Although the framework is based on Iranian companies, most of the aspects are recognised in NPD literature; thus, the findings could have broad applicability.