Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Purchasing Involvement in Discontinuous Innovation: An Emerging Research Agenda

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Innovation and Supply Chain Management

Part of the book series: Contributions to Management Science ((MANAGEMENT SC.))

Abstract

Building on a systematic review of the literature, we define and discuss why and how purchasing needs to be involved in the discontinuous innovation process. We argue that purchasing involvement in NPD should be considered mainly when the customer firm faces discontinuous innovation. Seeking to promote this emerging research agenda, we present three propositions to focus future studies and inspire practices: (a) technology sourcing and scanning out of the boundary of the supply base is an important stake to support discontinuous innovation as (b) to form an ambidextrous purchasing organization and (c) to develop absorptive capacity within purchasing function. The paper concludes by summarizing the conceptual implications of the paper, outlining some initial managerial recommendations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Athaide GA, Zhang JQ (2011) The determinants of seller-buyer interactions during new product development in technology-based industrial markets. J Prod Innov Manag 28(1):146–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergek A, Berggren C, Magnusson T, Hobday M (2013) Technological discontinuities and the challenge for incumbent firms: destruction, disruption or creative accumulation? Res Policy 42(6):1210–1224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bessant JR, Lamming RC, Noke H, Phillips WE (2005) Managing innovation beyond the steady state. Technovation 25(12):1366–1376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bidault F, Castello A (2010) Why too much trust is death to innovation. MIT Sloan Manag Rev 51(4):33–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonaccorsi A, Lipparini A (1994) Strategic partnerships in new product development: an Italian case study. J Prod Innov Manag 11:134–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brem A, Tidd J (2012) Perspectives on supplier innovation. Imperial College Press, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Brereton P, Kitchenham BA, Budgen D, Turner M, Khalil M (2007) Lessons from applying the systematic literature review process within the software engineering domain. J Syst Softw 80(4):571–583

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buffington J, Amini M, Keskinturk T (2012) Development of a product design and supply-chain fulfillment system for discontinuous innovation. Int J Prod Res 50(14):3776–3785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bunduchi R (2013) Trust, partner selection and innovation outcome in collaborative new product development. Prod Plan Control 24(2–3):145–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burt DN, Soukup WR (1985) Purchasing’s role in new product development. Harv Bus Rev 63(3):90–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Calvi R (2000) Le role des services achats dans le developpement des produits nouveaux: une approche organisationnelle [The role of purchasing in new product development: an organisational approach]. Finance Contrôle Stratégie 3(2):31–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Chesbrough H (2003) Open innovation: the new imperative for creating and profiting from technology. Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiang IR, Wu SJ (2016) Supplier involvement and contract design during new product development. IEEE Trans Eng Manag 63(2):248–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen C, Rosenbloom RS (1995) The attacker’s advantage: technological paradigms, organizational dynamics and the value network. Res Policy 24:233–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen WM, Levinthal DA (1990) Absorptive capacity: a new perspective on learning and innovation. Adm Sci Q 35(1):128–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cousins P, Handfield R, Lawson B, Petersen K (2006) Creating supply chain relational capital: the impact of formal and informal socialization processes. J Oper Manag 24(6):851–863

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cousins PD, Lawson B, Petersen KJ, Handfield RB (2011) Breakthrough scanning, supplier knowledge exchange, and new product development performance. J Prod Innov Manag 28(6):930–942

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crozier M, Friedberg F (1977) L’Acteur et le Système. Les Contraintes de l’action Collective. Éditions du Seuil, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Datta A, Jessup LM (2013) Looking beyond the focal industry and existing technologies for radical innovations. Technovation 33(10/11):355–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dell’Era C, Marchesi A, Verganti R (2010) Mastering technologies in design-driven innovation. Res Technol Manag 53(2):12–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farmer D (1981) The role of procurement in new product development. Int J Phys Distrib Mater Manag 11(2/3):46–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson CB, Birkinshaw J (2004) The antecedents, consequences, and mediating role of organizational ambidexterity. Acad Manag J 47(2):209–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert CG (2006) Change in the presence of residual fit: can competing frames coexist? Organ Sci 17(1):150–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Godfrey PC, Hill CWL (1995) The problem of unobservable in strategic management research. Strateg Manag J 16:519–533

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Golicic SL, Sebastiao HJ (2011) Supply chain strategy in nascent markets: the role of supply chain development in the commercialization process. J Bus Logist 32(3):254–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granovetter MS (1973) The strength of weak ties. Am J Sociol 78(6):1360–1380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen MT (1999) The search-transfer problem: the role of weak ties in sharing knowledge across subunits. Adm Sci Q 44(1):82–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey C, Kelly A, Morris H, Rowlinson M (2010) Academic journal quality guide version, 4. The Association of Business Schools, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnsen TE (2009) Supplier involvement in product development and innovation – taking stock and looking to the future. J Purch Supply Manag 15(3):187–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knudsen MP (2007) The relative importance of interfirm relationships and knowledge transfer for new product development success. J Prod Innov Manag 24(2):117–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lakemond N, van Echtelt F, Wynstra F (2001) A configuration typology for involving purchasing specialists in product development. J Supply Chain Manag 37(4):11–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambe CJ, Spekman RE (1997) Alliances, external technology acquisition, and discontinuous technological change. J Prod Innov Manag 14(2):102–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linton JD (2002) Forecasting the market diffusion of disruptive and discontinuous innovation. IEEE Trans Eng Manag 49(4):365–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magnusson T, Lindström G, Berggren C (2003) Architectural or modular innovation? Managing discontinuous product development in response to challenging environmental performance targets. Int J Innov Manag 7(1):1–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • March JG (1991) Exploration and exploitation in organizational learning. Organ Sci 2(1):71–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDermott C, Handfield R (2000) Concurrent development and strategic outsourcing: do the rules change in breakthrough innovation? J High Technol Manag Res 11(1):35–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholas J, Ledwith A, Bessant J (2013) Reframing the search space for radical innovation. Res Technol Manag 56:27–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Reilly CA, Tushman ML (2004) The ambidextrous organization. Harv Bus Rev 82(4):74–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrons RK, Richards MG, Platts K (2004) The effect of industry clockspeed on make-buy decisions in the face of radical innovations: an empirical test. Int J Innov Manag 8(04):431–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petersen KJ, Handfield RB, Ragatz GL (2005) Supplier integration into new product development: coordinating product, process and supply chain design. J Oper Manag 23(3–4):371–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips WE, Lamming RC, Bessant JR, Noke H (2006a) Discontinuous innovation and supply relationships: strategic dalliances. R&D Manag 36(4):451–461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips WE, Noke H, Bessant J, Lamming R (2006b) Beyond the steady state: managing discontinuous product and process innovation. Int J Innov Manag 10(2):1–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Primo MAM, Amundson SD (2002) An exploratory study of the effects of supplier relationships on new product development outcomes. J Oper Manag 20(1):33–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reid SE, De Brentani U (2004) The fuzzy front end of new product development for discontinuous innovations: a theoretical model. J Prod Innov Manag 21(3):170–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rice MP, Leifer R, O’Connor G (2000) Managing the transition of a discontinuous innovation project to operational status. IEEE Trans Eng Manag 15:586–590

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice MP, Leifer R, O’Connor G (2002) Commercializing discontinuous innovations: bridging the gap from discontinuous innovation project to operations. IEEE Trans Eng Manag 49(4):330–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rice MP, O’Connor GC, Peters LS, Morone JG (1998) Managing discontinuous innovation. Res Technol Manag 41(3):52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritala P, Hurmelinna-Laukkanen P (2013) Incremental and radical innovation in coopetition—the role of absorptive capacity and appropriability. J Prod Innov Manag 30(1):154–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rohrbeck R (2010) Harnessing a network of experts for competitive advantage: technology scouting in the ICT industry. R&D Manag 40(2):169–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rothaermel FT, Alexandre MT (2009) Ambidexterity in technology sourcing: the moderating role of absorptive capacity. Organ Sci 20(4):759–780

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiele H (2010) Early supplier integration: the dual role of purchasing in new product development. R&D Manag 40(2):138–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiele H, Calvi R, Gibbert M (2012) Customer attractiveness, supplier satisfaction and preferred customer status: introduction, definitions and an overarching framework. Ind Mark Manag 41(8):1178–1185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Servajean R, Calvi R (2018) Shades of the innovation-purchasing function – the missing link of open innovation. Int J Innov Mgt 22(1):1850008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song M, Di Benedetto A (2008) Supplier’s involvement and success of radical new product development in new ventures. J Oper Manag 26(1):1–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song M, Parry ME (1999) Challenges of managing the development of breakthrough products in Japan. J Oper Manag 17:665–688

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swink ML (1999) Threats to new product manufacturability and the effects of development team integration processes. J Oper Manag 17:691–709

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takeishi A (2001) Bridging inter- and intra-firm boundaries: management of supplier involvement in automobile product development. Strateg Manag J 22(5):403–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Theoharakis V, Wong V (2002) Marking high-technology market evolution through the foci of market stories: the case of local area networks. J Prod Innov Manag 19(6):400–411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomaselli FC, Di Serio LC (2013) Supply networks and value creation in high innovation and strong network externalities industry. J Technol Manag Innov 8(4):177–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Tranfield D, Denyer D, Smart P (2003) Towards a methodology for developing evidence-informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. Br J Manag 14(3):207–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai KH (2009) Collaborative networks and product innovation performance: toward a contingency perspective. Res Policy 38(5):765–778

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tu Q, Vonderembse MA, Ragu-Nathan TS, Sharkey TW (2006) Absorptive capacity: enhancing the assimilation of time-based manufacturing practices. J Oper Manag 24(5):692–710

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van de Vrande V, Vanhaverbeke W, Duysters G (2011) Technology in-sourcing and the creation of pioneering technologies. J Prod Innov Manag 28(6):974–987

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Echtelt FEA, Wynstra F, van Weele AJ, Duyesters G (2008) Managing supplier involvement in npd: a multiple-case study. J Prod Innov Manag 25(2):180–201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Villena VH, Revilla E, Choi TY (2011) The dark side of buyer–supplier relationships: a social capital perspective. J Oper Manag 29(6):561–576

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wynstra JYF, Axelsson B, van Weele A (2000) Driving and enabling factors for purchasing involvement in product development. Eur J Purch Supply Manag 6(2):129–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu S, Wu F, Cavusgil E (2013) Complements or substitutes? Internal technological strength, competitor alliance participation, and innovation development. J Prod Innov Manag 30(4):750–762

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahra SA, George G (2002) Absorptive capacity: a review, reconceptualization and extension. Acad Manage Rev 27(2):185–203

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IREGE Laboratory, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Chambery, France

    Richard Calvi

  2. Politecnico di Milano School of Management, Milan, Italy

    Thomas Johnsen

  3. ESSCA School of Management, Angers, France

    Katia Picaud Bello

Authors
  1. Richard Calvi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thomas Johnsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Katia Picaud Bello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard Calvi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

    António Carrizo Moreira

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Luís Miguel D. F. Ferreira

  3. Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

    Ricardo A. Zimmermann

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Calvi, R., Johnsen, T., Picaud Bello, K. (2018). Purchasing Involvement in Discontinuous Innovation: An Emerging Research Agenda. In: Moreira, A., Ferreira, L., Zimmermann, R. (eds) Innovation and Supply Chain Management. Contributions to Management Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74304-2_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation