The product and service development process

Introduction The monumental importance of the product/service development process in the world today has been a fundamental concern not only for business personnel; but also for a wide range of organizations whose ultimate success greatly depends on it. Notably, over the recent past, there has been an increasing popularity of this process based on the inherent need and pressure for organizations to constantly innovate new products and services.Advertising We will write a custom dissertation sample on The product and service development process specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is vitally necessary for them to stay relevant to their clients while having an advantage in today’s globally competitive market. The product/service development process is a highly intricate and involving process that requires several factors to be keenly observed. However, Vonderembse (2010) authoritatively opines that amongst all the fundamenta l factors, customer involvement in the product development process is the most essential one since it significantly determines the acceptance or rejection of a particular product or service in its targeted markets. Preliminarily, any product development process should ensure that it utilizes price friendly materials while ensuring the creation of a good product or service with exceptional functionality, high quality, market appeal and importantly; cost effectiveness. More business (2006) however interestingly notes that â€Å"Price can be a business killer to compete on, because someone’s always able to do it cheaper than you† and consequently; it is vital for organizations to nurture an environment that allows for adequate customer involvement in the design process. This will in turn open a vista of opportunities for the organization to know how to exactly tailor their products in a way that appeals to their clients. According to Ciccantelli and Magidson (2006), the m ost common ways of customer involvement include the use of product-design focus groups, questionnaires and surveys; which have reportedly been able to offer a good number of benefits and a few losses (depending on organizational implementation) as discussed below. Discussion (Dissertation) In spite of the amassed immense values of involving customers in the design process; some business experts and analysts have been in strong opposition to this. To them, this involvement offers more demerits than merits thus should be avoided at all costs.Advertising Looking for dissertation on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Ciccantelli and Magidson (2006), effectiveness is measured by the ability of a product to provide what the consumers want, rather than just doing away with what they do not want. So the imperative question to ask at this point is; is it effective to involve consumers in the design proces s? Well, the answer here can go either ways; both yes and no—depending on how one looks at it. Starting with the yes, it is inherent to primarily note that new products/service development and the involvement of customers is not just practiced in the UK and USA alone; it is also extensively in other parts of the world with lots of benefits realized through it (Ishmael and Namiranian, 2003). This in itself is a strong indicator that customer involvement in the innovative design of new products is an effectively vital component of any business. Additionally, Ciccantelli and Magidson (2006) say that â€Å"Involving consumers in designing products and services can put the organization back in touch with its consumers and infuse fresh ideas.† This is principally based on the fact that getting genuine ideas from clients helps in knowing what they want thus incepting products and services that aptly suits their needs. Ishmael and Namiranian (2003) support this point by articu lating that proper sieving of ideas from many people increases the probability of getting invaluable ideas that can help in positively propelling any given organization. Moreover, the involvement of consumers in the design process helps in avoiding extra-costs that are usually incurred through repair of products as a result of less or no customer consultation in the product innovation design process (Vonderembse, 2010). Furthermore, adequate consumer involvement in the design process facilitates its smooth running hence saving a lot of time that can be used for other vital organizational functions (Vonderembse, 2010). In relation to this, Vonderembse adds that the use of pertinent information and technologies together with adequate consumer involvement can also greatly accentuate the product/service development process thus saving even more time for the organization. Finally, consumer involvement plays a fundamental role in the prototype design and testing part of the product/design process. This is very important since the consumer reaction to the product/service—in most cases—represents how the clients will eventually react in the real world market (Ishmael and Namiranian, 2003).Advertising We will write a custom dissertation sample on The product and service development process specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Vonderembse (2010) exemplifies effective company involvement of consumers in product/service development by citing IBM who managed to smashingly slice the assembly time of their printers from 30 minutes to 3 minutes. He additionally talks of the Texas instruments company who, through customer involvement in the design process, managed to incorporate the DFMA software which immensely improved their infrared sighting mechanism services. Mynampati (2000), an advisory architect at IBM, also illustrates how the involvement of consumers in the architectural design of services has been able to improve the efficiency of the company. This was most notable with the implementation of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) by the business and IT section of the company. By involving clients in SOA implementation, the company revenues shot sky-high, in contrast to the previous inceptions that did not involve consumers. On the flipside, those opposed to effectiveness of customer involvement in the product/service design process argue that: Firstly, determining what consumers need through customer involvement does not necessarily translate to success. This is generally because most consumer needs are elusive thus not being able to sufficiently project what should be done during the design process (Ciccantelli and Magidson, 2006). Secondly, Ishmael and Namiranian (2003) argue that most organizations tend to get so engrossed in the innovation of new products through customer involvement to the point of getting sidetracked from other important organizational duties. In turn, this inc reases the likelihood of less performance of such organizations. Thirdly, involvement of a wide range of consumers consumes a lot of time and resources—which would have otherwise been used for other significant organizational duties like marketing and advertisement among many others (Ishmael Namiranian, 2003). Fourthly and lastly, most of the methods used for sampling views and ideas from consumers tend to limit them to talk in certain ways that limit objectivity. As a result, most ideas elicited from such people are inclined towards what the organizations want to hear rather than what the consumers really want to say. This further leads to development of products/services that do not necessarily represent what most consumers really want (Ciccantelli and Magidson, 2006). There are many examples of failed product/service development processes.Advertising Looking for dissertation on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to most business analysts, the most pronounced one organizational failure, was the economic hiccup of 2008 that led to the momentarily slump of the Dell computer company. Having â€Å"blindly† followed the consumer prospected ideas, the company decided to increase the production and supply number of their computers while ignoring important factors on the ground like the global economic meltdown at the time. As a result, many computers were produced and distributed while very few of them were bought. This led to huge losses especially with their further undoing of not incorporating recent technologies that were priority to most consumers. So in order for there to be continuity in the beneficial use of consumer involvement in the design process, it is fundamental to circumspectly review the new product/service development process then through it; organizations will be able to analyze how to get the right informational input and policies which –in turn—de als with the aforementioned challenges. Different organizations have different notions of the new product development process. This is the reason why its stages can be summarized as five stages or as many as eight stages depending on factors like: organizational structure, leadership and social cohesion. However, Mayo and Hausler (2010) authoritatively give a 7-stepped model which is widely accepted as the most representative model of the new product/service development process. These seven steps are as follows: First is the idea generation which is done through methods like brainstorming, interviews or even questionnaires which are given to the relevant audiences. Second, there is idea screening. Here, the ideas are partially reviewed and sieved so that only important ones go to the next stage. The remaining ones are kept for future references. Third in this hierarchy is concept development and testing. At this point, ideas are molded into tangible concepts in relations to the orga nizational policies and goals. Fourth, there is the business analysis stage where the concepts from the previous stage are analyzed. The fifth stage involves prototype development; This greatly requires consumer involvement so as to develop something that would be viable in a real market. The sixth stage in turn involves market tests of the prototype which greatly projects how the product would perform in the market. Seventh and lastly, we have the commercialization and pricing of the product. This is only done if the product or service passes the market test. Recommendations In relations to the above process, some of the ways to outsource good ideas, solve the aforementioned challenges and ensure efficient management of consumer involvement in the design process include; incorporating professionals in the idea generation part. This will greatly limit the chances of wrong ideas ending up in the product/service development pipeline. In addition, more accommodative and objective metho ds should be used to sample consumer views. According to Ciccantelli and Magidson (2006), one of such ways is the consumer idealized design developed by Russell L. Ackoff. In this process, potential consumers get to talk in an unconstrained environment about what would be an ideal product or service to them. Mayo and Hausler (2010) propose for the establishment of a cumulative plan for a given number of projects. The logic of this is to have a cut-across plan for various projects and thus knowing how to easily go about them. In effect, there will be more order in the organization and thus facilitating smooth running of the projects. This also ensures and orderly involvement of consumers in offering their input which consequently ensures saving of time. Again, Ciccantelli and Magidson (2006) propose early the incorporation of consumers in the design process. This will hugely eliminate the chances of having to make costly changes towards the end of the product/service development cycl e. As a personal recommendation, organizations can increase the number of opinion-sampling techniques like use of questionnaires, interview and surveys. This makes it relatively easy to get increased input and active involvement of consumers in the product and service development process. Conclusion In finality, it is invaluable to remember that customer involvement in product/service design is a wide concept with many facets. Consequently, each facet should be thoroughly put into consideration whenever viewing it. Additionally, there previous notion of customer purchase being primarily based on price and quality has been faced out with clients who look into other factors like: product/service design, its customizability, its safety, longevity, efficiency and cost of maintenance among many others (Vonderembse, 2010). It is therefore fundamental not to just concentrate on consumer involvement in the innovation or development of product/services; but also remember other factors (like the ones abovementioned). References Ciccantelli, S. and Magidson, J. (2006) Consumer idealized design: Involving consumers in the product development process. Club of Amsterdam Blog, Feb. 2008, p. 6. Ishmael, G. and Namiranian, L. (2003) Using consumers to fuel your new product generation a pipeline: The role of idea-centric creativity. Decision Analyst, Vol 16 (5), p. 96. Mayo, C. M. and Hausler, D. (2010) New product development. Reference for business, Vol 7 (1), pp. 14-18. More business (2006) New product development process: Steps to develop new products and services. Web. Available at:  https://www.morebusiness.com/ah_fivesteps/ Vonderembse, M. (2010) Product design. Reference for business, 87 (1), pp. 34-38. This dissertation on The product and service development process was written and submitted by user Alyvia N. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Nature verses Nurture

Nature verses Nurture Introduction Human growth and development is an important aspect in human life. Conventionally, it describes the physical, emotional, or psychological and cognitive transformation in human life. In addition, it is a complicated process controlled by both environmental and genetic aspects (Bronfenbrenner 3).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Nature verses Nurture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Throughout human history, research has continually debated on several aspects of human life and development aiming at identifying the influence of genetics and the influence of environment on human personal development bringing nature and nurture terms into regular controversies. According to McGue and Bouchard, adoption and twin studies have significantly indicated that behavioral traits are transmissible (1). On the other hand, Bouchard argues that environmental factors have also been influential in the development of humans, though such factors are most effective in individual intelligence quotient (148). However, both are essential. These endless debates on human development have important inferences on theories and researches that are encompassed in psychological studies with human behavioral traits becoming the focus. Therefore, this essay seeks to examine whether human development and behavior is due to nature or nurture. Nature: genetic influence on personal development Nature has dominated several prospective studies on its influence on human growth and development. In this context, the word nature simply stands for the ways in which biological phenomena influence personal development and behavior (Gottesman and Hanson 10.6). Hereditary aspects of human beings are associated with behavioral characteristics in human beings. Heredity simply describes how individuals acquire characteristics through a biological process involving genes. Different projects, including the human Genome Project, demonstrate that DNA components found in human beings are identical to all humans with an estimated percentage of 9.9 per cent resemblance. Gottesman and Hanson assert, â€Å"Factors that influence DNA methylation are huge and include such things as developmental processes, diet, and viral infections† (10.5). Due to this DNA sharing aspect, biological studies including famous theories conducted on evolutionary propositions have some evidence that almost all animals share similar characteristics with their respective ancestors. With studies and theories carried out to examine the impact of nature on the personal development and personality traits, heredity is an important factor in the development.Advertising Looking for research paper on anthropology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Behavior genetic studies and nature In several occasions, human biology and psychologists have concentrated on what aspects allow human beings to have similar characteristics. Based on the focus of this study, gene, which is a biological component of growth, influences behavioral characteristics in human beings. In specific attention to genetics perspective, genes are natural elements that shape hereditary. Genes pass on from one generation to another, with the likelihood of off springs adopting traits embedded in their blood relation (Bouchard 149). Scientifically, genetic influences on personal traits and development resulted from studies of two twins, commonly known as behavior genetic studies. Behavior genetic studies were initiated by Jim Springer and involved separation of two twins namely Jim and Lewis after five weeks of their age for a considerable number of years. Thereafter, Springer reunited the boys after thirty years of their separation. However, during the course of their observation, the twins had similar behavioral mannerisms ranging from their hobbies, emotions, thinking and even dislikes. T his study concluded that nature is automatic and biological phenomena influences behavioral traits. Several years ago, behavioral genetic studies conducted by Tyron in the year 1940 also formed the basis of discussion of the influence of biological phenomenon on behavior. Tyron took an approach of selective breeding animals. The researcher identified two rats with certain similarities coupled with their performance on maize (Thompson, Cannon, and Toga 34). Tyron mated the rats according to their brightness in color with the bright mating the bright and the dull, vice versa. After repetitively carrying out this procedure for at lest twenty-one generations, Tyron had two rats so different from each other. Tyron later tested their performance on maize and realized that their performance was similar to their initial off springs. The science of Tyron can be significant in explaining how human beings adopt some behavioral characteristics from their parents (Thompson, Cannon, and Toga 34). Based on several observations made on the academic performance of pupils compared to that of their parents, it is clear that genetics influence the growth and behaviors of individuals. Under these practical behavior genetics studies, biological phenomena affect the development and consequent behavior of beings, which are human beings. Studying family traits and behaviors is also a common way of identifying how genetics affects the behavioral traits of individuals or population. In family studies, researchers attempt to estimate generic impacts between individuals by comparing close relatives to examine how they resemble each other on particular distinctiveness. According to Gottesman and Hanson (10.7), through studying families, researchers have concluded that there are certain traits that are eminent in families.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Nature verses Nurture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Estima tes reveal that about 25 per cent of the grandchildren examined in studies have traits resembling those of their grandparents. In their study, Lenroot et al. assert that, to examine the relationship between genetics and behavioral traits, â€Å"quantification is possible by examining covariance patterns between family members of different levels of genetic relatedness† (164). Through family studies, genetic influence on personality traits is eminent in talents and abilities possessed by individuals. In several cases, there are possibilities of offspring sharing similar human abilities including artistic or musical talents and sportsmanship. Genetic influence in is also commonly examined in hereditary factors that are passed through DNA sequences. Scientist have studied several hereditary diseases and concluded that genetics consequently influence personal behavior traits. Psychologists have also studied this relation and identified that generic influence on behavior traits ac count to about 40-50 per cent through heritability. Bouchard asserts, â€Å"Schizophrenia is the most extensively studied psychiatric illness, and the findings consistently suggest a very high degree of genetic influence (heritability of about 80), mostly additive genetic influence, with no shared environmental influence† (149). Apart from schizophrenia, hereditary factors of genetic are also eminent in diseases such as phobias, panic disorders, depression, heart diseases, and even cancer. Thompson, Cannon, and Toga assert, â€Å"Heritable diseases and behavioral traits arise from DNA variations passed on from parents to their offspring† (524). Therefore, by studying hereditary diseases, evidence-based research depicts that genetics influences human behavior by passing behavior traits from one generation to another in close blood relationships. In a bid to delve further into the nature issue, the twin studies comprehensively used to examine how heredity and environment affects human development play important roles. According to Gottesman and Hanson (10.13), genetically tested experiments and data analysis of twins brought up together in a similar environment give an important view on the impact of nurturing on personal development and behavioral characteristics. Twins’ studies, which are commonly referred as Minnesota personality studies, examined over 217 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins, meaning that the twins resulted from an ovum fertilized from one sperm cell and about 114 pairs of dizygotic (DZ) twins, meaning that they were born of separate sperms fertilizing separate eggs, grew together.Advertising Looking for research paper on anthropology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On the other hand, 44 MZ and another 27 DZ pairs grew separately (Thompson, Cannon, and Toga). Researchers on this study observed that heritability in these twins provides an average of almost 48 per cent. After undergoing several discussions and argument, this study concluded that genetic factors contribute significantly to people within a given group Nurture: Environment and personal development Nurturing or fostering affects personal development and behavioral traits. How a person grows through different experiences consequently determines the outcome of personal behavior. According to Bouchard (148), behavioral interconnections are eminent within societies or communities with environmental connections among individuals, families, or even groups, particularly in political influence and economic power. Nurturing as used in several literatures denotes a process by which individuals grow. Behavioral traits found in parents are most likely to be eminent in children through adoption. Cultural aspect is among the many ways through which researchers conclude that nature affects an individual’s behavior. Culture has great power to determine a person’s behavior depending on the parental influence and extent of their adoption to culture. Taking an example of a community that strictly observes religion or certain rituals, off springs in this society are likely to adopt the culture and the sequence continues. Bouchard asserts, â€Å"Membership in a specific religious denomination is largely due to environmental factors† (151). Environment has been so influential in personal traits and development. However, in most cases, environment influences an individual’s life in the early ages up to almost 20 years. Factors including cultural backgrounds, social affiliations, and physical environment become important aspects that help in examining the impact of environment on personal behaviors. In the study undertaken by Lenroot et al. â€Å"environme ntal factors may be causes of downstream behavioral and cognitive function and may become more prominent relative to genetic factors as socioeconomic conditions worsen† (170). As human beings develop, they expose themselves to different environmental factors that tend to impact on their behavioral traits. According to Emde and Hewitt, this scenario is quite eminent in children who adopt behaviors found in their parents (23). It is common to find children taking alcohol due to the influence of their family members/parents or close relatives having the tendency of alcohol taking and very common to find children becoming religious following their parental roots. Behavior Genetics Studies and Nurture In the context of nurture, the twin’s studies contain a vital but hidden massage that researchers normally ignore. According to McGue and Bouchard, data acquired from this study provides significant evidence in the impact of environment on personal development and behavior trai ts (10). The pro-nurture conclusion hinges on two main observations. Despite carrying out several studies with regard to hereditary impact on personal development and personal traits, researchers have not considered the fact that genetic differences contribute to about 50 per cent or even less. This aspect automatically implies that environmental factors are quite responsible for the remaining percentage. On the same note, it is possible to find family members having different traits, despite coming from the same blood. Researchers commonly observe this aspect in some children who grow together and possess extremely different characteristics. Based on the evidence drawn from this argument, it is common that regardless of their relationship, there are no possibilities that two siblings live together throughout their lifetime. Therefore, in the process of separating and living in different environments, peoples surroundings are most likely to be responsible for their differences in th eir behaviors. However, culture is a powerful aspect in determining growth and development, thus if brought up under the same environment sharing the same culture, they are most likely to have similar traits (Lenroot et al. 165). Probably, siblings living together in a shared environment including having same parents, attending same schools, living in the same home, taking the same meals, and even attending similar functions possess different traits. On the other hand, siblings might live in a non-shared environment including being raised differently by their parents, occupying different environments, or even having different sportsmanship and finally differ in their behavior traits (Bouchard 149). This scenario definitely explains how the impact of the environment to human behavior is unique with people adopting different traits based on their environmental experiences. Complications between nature and nurture As researchers struggle to identify the transparency between nature and nurture, the complication between the two aspects still exists. Several prospective studies carried out on the subject are making the complication worse. Contrary to other studies carried out, Urie Bronfenbrenner and his colleague Stephen, in the year 1994, proposed a bio-ecological model to stretch the argument on the aspects of nature and nurture. According to Bronfenbrenner, at birth, mothers bestow newborns with genetic predispositions (6). The predispositions only have the ability of influencing the behaviors of the children later in their old age with life experiences playing an important role on the behaviors at that age. These predispositions have a component of intelligence. Taking into account the realities of life, some children are raised in poor families and thus they undergo stress and frustrations, which might limit them from realizing their potential. On the other, hand some children are raised in stress-free homes with many opportunities to explore their abilities. Finally, one only wonders how these predispositions can prove genetic influence on human behavior. Conclusion The nature vs. nurture debate has been unique in its arguments between natural development and environmental influence on human development and personality traits. However, both nature and nurture have a portion to share in human development especially in determining personal traits of individuals, though studies reveal that their influences are non-independent (McGue and Bouchard 6). Based on nature, scientists and psychologists have continually examined the influence of genetic factors on the development. Scientifically, genetic influences on personal traits and development resulted from studies of two twins. The studies provided a significant proof about the hereditary factor with the possibility that off springs adopt behavioral traits from their parents naturally (Thompson, Cannon, and Toga 523). On the other hand, scientists, philosophers, and psychologists still argue that environment or nurturing aspect has a greater influence in development of human behavior characteristics. The argument on nurturing aspect is that, if all genetics prove that it is responsible for human behavior, then why does it only cover 48 per cent on genetic influences. Family studies propose that there exist possibilities that children can never live together in their entire life, and thus changes observed in them is due to environmental influences. However, as prospective research continues to dominate, probably controversies between the two aspects might never end. Bouchard, Thomas. â€Å"Genetic Influence on Human Psychological Traits.† American Psychological Society 13.4 (2004): 148-151. Print. Bronfenbrenner, Urie. Making Human Beings Human: Bio-ecological Perspectives on Human Development. New York: Sage Publishers, 2004. Print. Emde, Robert, and John Hewitt. Infancy to Early Childhood: Genetic and Environmental Influences on Developmental Change. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001. Print. Gottesman, Irving, and Daniel Hanson. â€Å"Human Development: Biological and Genetic Processes.† Annu. Rev. Psychol 56 .1 (2005): 10.1–10.24. Print. Lenroot, Rhoshel, James Schmitt, Sara Ordaz, Gregory Wallace, Michael Neale, Jason Lerch, Kenneth Kendler, Alan Evans, and Jay Giedd. â€Å"Differences in Genetic and Environmental Influences on the Human Cerebral Cortex Associated with Development during Childhood and Adolescence.† Human Brain Mapping 30.1 (2009): 163–174. Print. McGue, Matt, and Thomas Bouchard. â€Å"Genetic and Environmental Influences on Human Behavioral Differences.† Annu. Rev. Neurosci 21.1 (1998): 1–24. Print. Thompson Paul, Tyrone Cannon, and Arthur Toga. â€Å"Mapping genetic influences on human brain structure.† Annals of Medicine 34.8 (2002): 523- 536. Print.

Discuss the extent to which corporate social responsibility has Essay

Discuss the extent to which corporate social responsibility has improved public perception of Tobacco companies in the uk - Essay Example Corporate social responsibility however becomes one of the key areas to look for by the tobacco companies. (WHO, 2004.) It has been however, suggested that the overall perception of the consumers regarding the tobacco companies as a result of their corporate social responsibility initiatives has not been so encouraging. (Anderson, 2011). It is generally believed that the tobacco companies use the corporate social responsibility as a tool to gain access to the politicians in UK and therefore all their efforts for corporate social responsibility are basically aimed at gaining access to the people who are in power. This may be due to the fact that the very business structure of the tobacco companies can serve as an obstacle to achieve the objective of corporate social responsibility. (Simpson & Sue, 2003.) The above graph suggests the prevalence of cigarette smoking by smoking and socio-economic groups from 1992 to 2009. The above graph suggests that there is a greater reduction in the smoking of cigarettes according to the social class of the individuals. This reduction in the smoking incidences therefore suggest that the consumers may not be having clearly favorable perceptions about the tobbaco companies and they are relativley relinquishing their smoking habits in order to avoid the danagers posed by the smoking. The above graph also however, suggests that the incidence in those people who are performing manual work has relatively remained stable owing to the early start of smoking by people belonging to this social class. It also therefore suggests that the corporate social responsibility practices of the tobbaco companies tend to have greater influence on the people who are relatively low in terms of their social class and statuts. Tobbaco companies have not been successful in fully utilizing the corproate social responsibility because of the very nature of