Supplier Involvement in New Product Development: A Study in the Brazilian Footwear Industry

The supplier involvement in the New Product Development (NPD) has become an important contribution to the solution of problems, which causes the process to be faster and more productive. However, it is still difficult to manage the supplier involvement during the NPD process. This study evaluates benefits and success factors of the supplier involvement during the process of NPD among three companies from the footwear industry in Sinos Valley/Brazil. The method developed indicates which items must be implemented as common objectives between company and supplier, as well as the most influential points for the success of the partnership. The results present an array of opportunities for the improvement of the partnership between company and suppliers.