Critical Success Factors for New Product Development in Biotechnology Companies

Abstract

The development of new products has become increasingly critical for the competitiveness of companies, due to increased diversity and variety of products, the reduction of product life cycles, and, primarily, globalization of markets. Thus, the identification and prioritization of critical success factors for developing new products is important, particularly for the high degree of risk and uncertainty involved. The main objective of this article is the identification and prioritization of critical success factors in new product development projects in biotechnology companies in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The research method used was a survey questionnaire, which was sent to a sample of 31 biotechnology companies in Minas Gerais state. The principal findings of this research are that interpersonal skills/relationships of the project leader and technical skills are the most critical factors for successful new product development in this industry. The implications for the biotechnology industry in general, as well as for those responsible for managing new product development, are discussed.

Keywords:

• Biotechnology Companies
• Critical Success Factors
• New Product Development
• Survey Questionnaire

EMJ Focus Areas:

• Innovation & New Product Development
• Program & Project Management
• Technology Management

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the constructive comments given by anonymous reviewers and the Editors, whose suggestions helped improve the quality of the article substantially.

Funding

The financial support of the FAPEMIG Foundation (APQ-00976-13 and PPM-00834-15) and CNPq (Process 249160/2013-7 and Process 401082/2014-8) made this work possible.

Additional information

Funding

The financial support of the FAPEMIG Foundation (APQ-00976-13 and PPM-00834-15) and CNPq (Process 249160/2013-7 and Process 401082/2014-8) made this work possible.

Notes on contributors

Eduardo Gomes Salgado

Dr. Eduardo Gomes Salgado is an Adjunct Professor in Biotechnology at the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG) in Brazil. He received a BS and a Master’s degree in production engineering, both from the Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI). He received a PhD in mechanical engineering from São Paulo State University (UNESP–Faculty of Engineering, Campus of Guaratingueta) in 2011. He was a postdoctoral student at the Adam Smith Business School of the University of Glasgow, visiting scholar in the School of Management at the Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy, and was also in the Systems and Production Department at the University of Minho in Braga, Portugal. His research interests are new product development, innovation management, quality management, and environmental management.

Carlos Eduardo Sanches da Silva

Dr. Carlos Eduardo Sanches da Silva is an Associate Professor in production engineering at the Federal University of Itajuba (UNIFEI). He is an economist, a mechanical engineer, and a specialist in quality and productivity. He has a Master’s and PhD degree in production engineering. He was a Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Texas. He is a Technical Committee Member of Minas Gerais State Agency for Research and Development (FAPEMIG), Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), and Scientific Director III with the Brazilian Association of Production Engineering (ABEPRO) in Brazil. His research interests are project management and product development.

Carlos Henrique Pereira Mello

Dr. Carlos Henrique Pereira Mello is an Associate Professor in production engineering at the Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI) in Brazil. He received a BS in mechanical engineering and a Master’s degree in production engineering, both from UNIFEI. He received a PhD in production engineering from São Paulo University (USP–Polytechnic School). He has been the coordinator of the graduate program in production engineering at UNIFEI since July 2014. His research interests are open innovation, new product development, innovation management, and quality management.

Monique Samaan

Monique Samaan graduated from the Federal University of Alfenas with a BS in biotechnology and a specialization in molecular biology. She has worked for five years as a biotechnology researcher at Cristália Prod. Quím. Farmacêuticos Ltda. She works with recombinant protein purification and development from bench to industrial scale-up under good manufacturing practices (GMP) conditions, focusing on biopharmaceutical formulations, stability and characterization of the molecules under development, and designing experiments for regulatory approval.