Article
Toward a Theory of Competencies for the Management of Product Complexity: Six Case Studies
Journal of Operations Management
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2008
Abstract
Business units in six Fortune 500 companies were studied to develop better understanding regarding drivers of product portfolio complexity and the means to manage them. Our research focuses on identifying important competencies for managing product portfolio complexity and on the development of appropriate theoretical explanations. We found three important competencies: product/technology portfolio strategy, organization and governance regarding complexity decisions, and product design and decision support systems. We explicate these competencies using a socio-technical systems theoretical perspective. Our findings provide the basis for a model describing the impact of complexity and complexity management on business unit profitability.
Inclusive pages
590–610
ISBN/ISSN
0272-6963
Copyright
Copyright © 2008, Elsevier
Publisher
Elsevier
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Disciplines
Citation Information
David J. Closs, Mark A. Jacobs, Morgan Swink and G. Scott Webb. "Toward a Theory of Competencies for the Management of Product Complexity: Six Case Studies" Journal of Operations Management Vol. 26 Iss. 5 (2008) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mark-jacobs/8/
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