The following two journal articles were recently published by the Design and Innovation Group, Design and Manufacturing Systems. The papers illustrate the need for better adoption of New Product Development practices and the implementation of support systems for local manufacturers.


Evaluating New Product Development Processes in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Sector of Trinidad and Tobago
Satira Bajnath and Umesh Persad

Abstract: This paper describes a study of the new product development process within the food and beverage manufacturing sector of Trinidad and Tobago. A total of twenty-three (23) companies agreed to participate in the study. They were contacted using the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) database and social media. Current models and practices for the new product development process were evaluated and analysed and key activity stages were selected for the study. The stages that were assessed were market assessment, idea screening, prototyping, core development, testing and industrialisation. The findings revealed that the companies focused heavily on the industrialisation stage and did not uniformly adhere to the other stages of the process. It was also found that the companies lacked formal sensory programmes. It is recommended that companies improve their new product development practices to align with best practice. In addition, an integrated sensory framework could be used to quantify the sensory characteristics at each key stage of the product development process.

Link to paper:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333998904_Evaluating_New_Product_Development_Processes_in_the_Food_and_Beverage_Manufacturing_Sector_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago


Investigating the Haircare Product Manufacturing Industry in Trinidad and Tobago
Gabrielle Isaac and Umesh Persad

Abstract: This paper examines the Haircare Industry in Trinidad and Tobago with particular focus on two stakeholders - consumers and manufacturers. A study was conducted to evaluate consumer attitudes toward hair care products manufactured and explored the challenges faced by local haircare manufacturers in Trinidad and Tobago. An online questionnaire including a measurement scale for ethnocentrism (CETSCALE) was used to ascertain the consumer perspective on locally manufactured haircare products. From a sample of 282 people, it was found that although most consumers are aware of locally made hair care products, only 44% patronise these products. Quality, ingredients and price were found to be the top three factors which influence consumers when purchasing locally made haircare products. A CETSCALE score of 3.2 demonstrated that consumers are non-ethnocentric as it pertains to purchasing locally made hair care products i.e. they purchase more foreign products than locally made ones. Using a compiled database of haircare product manufacturers, 25 companies participated in a study utilising a PESTLE analysis and questionnaire to investigate the challenges faced by haircare product manufacturers. It was found that the major challenges are the lack of legislature in place to deal with the manufacturing of haircare products and the inability to increase market share. Recommendations were made to address these concerns including collaborative efforts among all manufacturers to increase awareness and the formation of a Haircare Manufacturers’ Association.

Link to paper:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333998984_Investigating_the_Haircare_Product_Manufacturing_Industry_in_Trinidad_and_Tobago