Jeffrey Gibb

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate how the tool of re-engineering can successfully be used to dissect competitive packaging and, in turn, stimulate new, innovative packaging developments. The organizational challenges and hurdles in achieving innovation have changed in recent years. Mergers and acquisitions have resulted in the creation of mega-corporations. The result has been a change in business philosophy from generalization to specialization for maximum profitability. The challenge of specialization is that it stifles creativity, and this includes the development of innovative packaging. One of the ways the packaging engineer can overcome these challenges and drive innovation is through the re-engineering of competitive packages. The key to successful re-engineering is the complete dissection of competitive packaging in order to define its characteristics and ultimately improve on the concept. It is through this improvement of design, form, or function that innovation is achieved. The use of re-engineering can save organizations time and money as it dramatically shortens the development process. The ability to develop and execute innovation is key to the long-term health of corporations. This thesis will review two successful applications of the re-engineering tool in developing innovative packaging. Both projects, Halloween 2000 and Major League Baseball 2001, involved packages that were developed and executed at Kraft Foods, Inc. in the Post cereals division. In both cases, the problem presented to the R&D team was to quickly develop new promotional packaging that provided added consumer value. The first step was to conduct a competitive scan of the marketplace to identify potential packaging concepts. These packages were then dissected and analyzed, and a process to improve on the design to meet the project needs was developed. A patent search was conducted to ensure the new packages would not infringe on existing patents. The result was two of the most successful promotional programs in a dramatically compressed development time line. The Post organization was able to gain competitive market share during these promotional periods, and the packaging innovation proved to be a key driver in this success. The researcher suggests that the use of the re-engineering as stimuli for innovation is a proven and powerful tool for packaging development.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Packaging--Management; Business intelligence; Reengineering (Management)

Publication Date

2001

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Packaging Science (CAST)

Advisor

Proctor, Karen

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: TS196 .G533 2001

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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