3TYPES AND TIMING OF INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION IN NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Inter-organizational networks are important to deal with the high risks of developing innovative products. However, managing the communication between the participants involved is complex. The traditional models of new product development are not sufficient to gain insight in effective management practices in this respect. Our study explored the inter-organizational communication in an R&D project aimed at developing a medical blood pump conducted by industry, universities and a university hospital. Based on correspondence, documentation and interviews, we analysed the inter-organizational communication in the different stages of new product development. Our results confirm Gersick's model that looks upon new product development as being punctuated by rapid changes. In these periods, inter-organizational communication on design objectives and project planning is paramount. In addition, communication needs to focus on contextual factors and the required resources, skills and knowledge. Consequently, facilitation of comprehensive inter-organizational communication appears to be particularly essential during the start-up, explorative prototype stage, and completion of the project