New product performance through multifunctional teamwork: An analysis of the development process towards quality excellence

In this paper the influence of autonomous multifunctional teamwork for new product development is analysed according to different approaches for process activities execution (sequential versus overlapped) on new product performance (development time, development cost and product quality). Such analysis is performed on a sample of engineering consulting firms in spain. Results indicate that both autonomous multifunctional teams and execution of activities under an overlapping approach is positively related with shorter development times and higher product quality. This study emphasises the importance of new product development teams for product success in terms of development time and cost and product quality. Process activities execution with an overlapped approach can be recommended when getting to the market in a fast way with a higher quality product as the main goal.