David H. Henard

Why Some New Products Are More Successful Than Others

Product innovation is increasingly valued as a key component of the sustainable success of a businesss operations. As a result, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of studies directed at explicating the drivers of new product success. To help managers and researchers synthesize this growing body of evidence, the authors conduct a meta-analysis of the new product performance literature. Of the 24 predictors of new product performance investigated, product advantage, market potential, meeting customer needs, predevelopment task proficiencies, and dedicated resources, on average, have the most significant impact on new product performance. The authors also find that the predictor–performance relationships can vary by measurement factor (e.g., the use of multi-item scales, subjective versus objective measures of performance, senior versus project management reporting, time elapsed since product introduction) or contextual factor (e.g., services versus goods, Asian versus North American markets, competition in high-technology versus low-technology markets). They discuss the implications of these findings and offer directions for further research.

R&d Knowledge Is Power

OVERVIEW: The phrase “knowledge is power” may be a cliché, yet in todays business environment it is as true a statement as ever. In fact, knowledge is a unique company resource because its value actually increases when it is shared. Viewing knowledge as a strategic corporate resource, managers need to examine their own organizations to assess the degree of stored knowledge and absorptive capacity necessary to accomplish what is required for sustainable competitive advantage. A key question is whether or not the organizational structure is appropriate—from the perspective of both breadth and depth of knowledge—to the mission at hand. Breadth is obtained through employee diversity and connectedness depth through R&D experience as well as basic research initiatives, partnerships, joint ventures, etc. Overall, knowledge, like other strategic corporate resources, must be actively managed if it is to result in sustainable competitive advantage.

Making knowledge workers more creative

OVERVIEW: The knowledge management process is increasingly seen as a key to organizational creativity and innovation. The evolving global business environment necessitates that organizations shift from a rigid, standardized competitive approach to a more flexible mobilization of human resources located both inside and outside the company. This can be aided by recognizing knowledge worker capabilities as a hierarchy from acquired knowledge to more complex unique and creative knowledge. Competitive advantage can be gained by moving individual and cumulative capabilities higher on this pyramid.

All you need is love? Communication insights from pop music's number-one hits

ABSTRACT In response to calls for further investigation on the role of music and advertising, the authors of the current study analyzed popular music9s most successful songs over a 50-year period (1960–2009). The current paper uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches to uncover communication themes from nearly 1,000 songs that best resonated with mass audiences. The study identifies 12 communication themes and finds that they are used repeatedly over time; are largely emotional in nature; appear congruent with contemporary societal and environmental influences; and help predict a song9s chances of commercial success. The results provide advertising professionals with a repertoire of themes for consideration in advertising and other marketing communications for mass audiences.ABSTRACT In response to calls for further investigation on the role of music and advertising, the authors of the current study analyzed popular musics most successful songs over a 50-year period (1960–2009). The current paper uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches to uncover communication themes from nearly 1,000 songs that best resonated with mass audiences. The study identifies 12 communication themes and finds that they are used repeatedly over time; are largely emotional in nature; appear congruent with contemporary societal and environmental influences; and help predict a songs chances of commercial success. The results provide advertising professionals with a repertoire of themes for consideration in advertising and other marketing communications for mass audiences.