Knowledge integration in a product development organization for new businesses: A case study of a precision device manufacturer

This study discusses knowledge integration in product development organizations for new businesses. The goal is to contribute to establishment of methodology that helps accomplish the purpose of entry into new business. This study analyzes establishment of new product development organizations and their entry into new businesses. There are many differences between existing businesses and new businesses; characteristics of product, characteristics of market and so on. Knowledge required for existing businesses and knowledge required new businesses is different. Thus it is very important to integrate knowledge required for existing businesses and knowledge required new businesses. This study indicates that persistence to existing knowledge of product development organization maybe an adverse factor of knowledge integration since it prevents from searching new knowledge necessary for new businesses and absorbing searched knowledge. It is suggested for product development organization to have unlearning process of knowledge not required for new businesses.