A structural equation model of new product design and development

This research uses structural equation modeling to analyze the effects of supplier assessment, Just-In-Time, and quality management strategies on new product design and development. A survey of senior managers who are members of the American Production and Inventory Control Society in the United States was used to test the relationships between the constructs in the model. In general, the survey results supported the proposed structural equation model. The data showed that supplier assessment and Just-In-Time strategies were correlated and affected the quality management strategy used, which, in turn, influenced the new product design and development strategy. The data also showed that the Just-In-Time strategy directly influenced the new product design and development strategy.