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- Amann, Daniel, 1967-, et al.
(författare)
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Affordability aspects in the concept generation of defence systems
- 2017
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Ingår i: Proceedings of 18th International CINet Conference. - Twente : Continuous Innovation Network. - 9789077360200 ; , s. 26-38
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Cost escalation for fighter aircraft is arguably not sustainable. Pushing frontiers oftechnology by incremental improvements of traditional platforms has led to anexponential increase in cost. This paper addresses the process of concept generationwith the purpose to explore how affordability is managed in that process, in order toidentify possible measures to improve the likelihood of generating affordableconcepts. This is done by studying two cases of concept generation of future combatair systems. The concepts generated in these two cases are however not curbing thecost escalation and are, with only one notable exception, based on incrementalinnovation. Nevertheless, the empirical observations offer leads to potentially fostera more innovative and cost conscious concept generation process, indicatingavenues for future research.
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| 2. |
- Amann, Daniel, Doktorand, et al.
(författare)
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Affordability Aspects in the Development of Defence Equipment : Case Studies of Concept Generation in the Defence Industry
- 2021
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Ingår i: Defence and Peace Economics. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1024-2694 .- 1476-8267. ; 32:7, s. 847-863
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cost escalation for many complex defence equipment is arguably not sustainable. Customer driven requirements have led to an exponential increase in costs by pushing frontiers of technology to support primarily incremental improvements of traditional equipment concepts. Accordingly, affordability has become a more discussed subject indefence acquisition. This paper addresses the process of generating complex defence equipment concepts. The purpose is to explore how affordability is managed in that process and to identify possible leads to how an unsustainable cost escalation for this type of equipment can be curbed. This is done by studying two cases of concept generation of future combat air equipment systems from a company process perspective. This applied micro perspective on cost escalation showed that none of the concepts generated in these two cases were assessed to curb the cost escalation. Further, the innovation model for the generated concepts, with only one notable exception, was incremental. Nevertheless, the empirical observations from these two cases offer leads on how to potentially foster a more innovative and affordability-oriented concept generation process for future defence equipment, as well as indicating avenues for future research.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Amann, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION IN COMPLEX PRODUCT SYSTEMS (COPS) : INFLUENCING CHARACTERISTICS AND CONDITIONS
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Complex product systems (CoPS) tend to get more complex for every new productgeneration, which for some product categories imply cumbersome escalating costs. Forthese products, promises of lowered costs by disruptive innovation certainly areappealing, but frequently deluding. Therefore, this paper aims at exploring specific CoPScharacteristics and conditions influencing companies’ propensity to develop disruptiveproducts, and to derive related managerial implications. This is performed by analysingfour case studies of CoPS product development in four different industrial sectors. Thestudy suggests that specific characteristics and conditions in the CoPS setting influenceproduct development management to aim at incremental improvements of earlier productconcepts, whereby disruptive innovations in reality rarely get a chance. Moreover, it isfound that barriers for disruptive innovation in CoPS classified as tournament goods areconsidered even higher, because this product category generally do not offer anyperformance oversupply.
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| 6. |
- Amann, Daniel, 1967-
(författare)
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Exploring affordability in concept generation for complex defence products
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- National defence budgets face pressure from intergenerational escalating costs for complex defence products, such as fighter aircraft and submarines. These escalating costs originate from ever-increasing performance requirements due to the competitive nature of warfare. In combat, only winning is good enough. Therefore, the products’ performance is considered crucial for gaining an edge over an opponent. As the continuous development of ever-costlier complex defence products is not sustainable, it is high time for a path change towards affordability, meaning less costly products without any compromises in terms of operational requirements. However, the fact that this cost escalation has long been recognised as unsustainable indicates that a path change towards affordability will not be easy to achieve. Such a path change will likely require radical changes in product concepts – even though costs might be reduced in other ways, product concepts are believed to have the greatest potential. In accordance with this assumption, this thesis suggest that the phenomenon of continuous generation of ever-costlier complex defence concepts is ultimately sealed in the front end of innovation, where opportunities are identified and product concepts are defined. Accordingly, this thesis aims to explore how firms and customers can influence activities in the front end of innovation in order to successfully manage the affordability of complex defence products. This aim is approached through phenomenon-driven research performed in a set of four concatenated studies, represented by five papers. By letting successive studies be informed by preceding studies, new knowledge and theory are added to this under-researched topic. Empirically, several factors and aspects influencing the front end of innovation are identified as potential barriers to or enablers of path changes towards affordability. In addition, different measures that companies and customers can adopt to support such path changes are proposed. The thesis contributes to extant theory by providing a definition of affordability adapted to complex defence products, and by contrasting affordability with established concepts and methods aimed at making products less costly. Furthermore, benefits and deficiencies in the industry’s handling of concept generation for complex defence products are highlighted from an affordability perspective, and the influence of specific characteristics on path changes towards affordability in relation to complex defence equipment is described and discussed. Finally, conditions supporting affordability related to opportunities, knowledge and motivations are described, and the benefits of providing those generating complex capability-oriented concepts with cost-related information are demonstrated.In addition to these contributions to theory, this thesis has several implications for the practice of companies and governmental customers. It highlights measures that these two sets of actors can take to shape conditions and, thereby, influence key activities in the front end of innovation to generate complex defence-product concepts that meet affordability criteria. These suggested measures constitute an embryo of an explicit approach to affordability management.
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| 7. |
- Amann, Daniel, 1967-, et al.
(författare)
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Facilitating path change : A historical success story of product development
- 2019
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 20th International CINet Conference. - : Continuous Innovation Network. - 9789077360224 ; , s. 13-27
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Extant theory suggests that paths of development, although identified as beingunsustainable, might be difficult to depart from. Our aim has therefore been toexplore and understand how a path change can be facilitated in a setting of complexproduct systems. We have studied a unique single case that managed a departurefrom an unsustainable cost escalation for complex defence equipment. The studyshows a relation between a path change and an opportunity, and also indicates howthis relation can be moderated by company management and customers. This isfurther clarified in a proposed model. We thereby provide both a theoretical andpractical contribution that support understanding and facilitating of path changes.
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| 9. |
- Amann, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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Inducing Affordability?: Observations From An Experimental Study Of Concept Generation
- 2021
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 22th CINet conference, September 12 – 14, Gothenburg, Sweden. - Enschede. - 9789077360248
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Early preliminary concepts are claimed to have a profound impact on the final product. Since these concepts often are based on intuitive judgements, it is important that these judgements are appropriate for the desired outcome. Intuition is derived from what one brings to mind, and consequently, the access to information is important for making relevant judgements. Therefore, when a departure from a present path of development is sought for, access to new information is likely to be required. Results from an experimental study, addressing affordability and concept generation, indicated that individuals were influenced, by the provision of selective information, to make more cost considerations and even to change approach when generating new concepts. It was further recognized that weak abilities to estimate costs in a lifecycle and capability perspective likely hampered low-cost ambitions. The findings from this study are suggested to contribute to theory on product development, and to support affordability when new products are developed.
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| 10. |
- Amann, Daniel, Doktorand, et al.
(författare)
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Managing affordability in concept development of complex product systems (CoPS)
- 2023
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Ingår i: Technology Analysis & Strategic Management. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0953-7325 .- 1465-3990. ; 35:1, s. 93-106
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study originates in a recognised unsustainable cost escalation for complex defence equipment. In order to understand how such cost escalation for complex product systems (CoPS) can be avoided, this study comparatively explores four different industrial sectors - energy, transportation, healthcare and defence - with and without intergenerational increasing costs, represented by four international companies. The results, collected from studying the development of one of each company’s products, reveal some characteristic differences in market factors between those sectors and companies having problems with intergenerational escalating costs and customer affordability, as compared to other sectors and companies. It is suggested that dependent on market characteristics, it might be necessary to actively manage affordability when CoPS are developed. Efforts made by the companies to make products more affordable were identified, and several factors enabling and disabling the development of less costly products without compromising customer needs were explored. Further, the implications of affordability management in a CoPS setting are elaborated on.
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