Critical technology management issues of new product development in high-tech companies

This article reports the results of a study of management of technology issues (unresolved technology management problems) in the new product development (NPD) processes of high-tech product companies. Using a three-questionnaire DELPHI methodology that includes academic and industry participants, the study ranks 24 technology management issues of NPD in terms of importance. A dominant "Number One Issue" is identified as Strategic Planning for Technology Products. Differences in the issues' evaluated importance are seen between industry managers and academics in the NPD management field. Comments provided by the study's participants provide useful perspectives. Technology managers and senior managers of companies that develop advanced technology products may find the study results useful for evaluating their own technology management practices and for guiding improvements to these practices. Academic researchers can use the study results to select technology management topics for research with some assurance that the research topics are of genuine concern to practitioners. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.