Abstract

Along with many other measures, companies are looking at reusing existing designs (i.e., hardware and software) to cut costs. Design reuse saves resources by contributing to shorter time-to-market and less engineering, procurement, service, training and documentation costs. The aim of the present study is to analyze the relationship between design reuse and product innovation; specifically whether design reuse fosters product innovation as a primary hypothesis. Moreover, the moderating effects between design reuse and product innovation, which were identified as focused innovation, better system integration and creative reuse were explored. A survey was conducted and data on 43 companies was analyzed to test the primary hypothesis, moderating effects and other factors. At the end of the study, although the primary hypothesis was not supported, significant correlations were found between design reuse, better system integration and product success. That is, as design reuse percentage increased companies reported better system integration and success for new products.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Technological innovations--Management; Computer software--Reusability; Software architecture; Computer engineering; Software engineering; Creative ability in business

Publication Date

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Advisor

John E. Ettlie

Advisor/Committee Member

Dianne Bills

Advisor/Committee Member

Michael Yacci

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at HD45 .T37 2006

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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