Narrow Results

In this paper, we discuss how managers can use New Product Development (NPD) assessment and regular performance measurement tools to balance short- and long-term NPD performances. Different perspectives on NPD performance are structured in an assessment profile that is applied in nine case studies. Based on these assessments, it is concluded that long-term performance, in particular, is perceived by NPD managers to be inadequate. Subsequently, the regular performance measurement procedures in place at these companies are discussed and suggestions are made as to how the case companies' NPD performance measurement systems can be more supportive in controlling and improving long-term performance.

The Newtonian revolution taught us how to dissect phenomena into contingencies (e.g., initial conditions) and fundamental laws (e.g., equations of motion). Since then, ‘fundamental physics’ has been pursuing purer and leaner fundamental laws. Consequently, to explain real phenomena a lot of auxiliary conditions become required. Isn't it now the time to start studying ‘auxiliary conditions’ seriously?

The study of biological systems has a possibility of shedding light on this neglected side of phenomena in physics, because we organisms were constructed by our parents who supplied indispensable auxiliary conditions; we never self-organize. Thus, studying the systems lacking self-organizing capability (such as complex systems) may indicate new directions to physics and biology (biophysics).

There have been attempts to construct a ‘general theoretical framework’ of biology, but most of them never seriously looked at the actual biological world. Every serious natural science must start with establishing a phenomenological framework. Therefore, this must be the main part of bio-physics. However, this article is addressed mainly to theoretical physicists and discusses only certain theoretical aspects (with real illustrative examples).