Diversified Bits and Pieces: Patterns and Motives of Diversification Strategies of Internet-based Firms

The goal of the thesis is to identify patterns and motives of diversification strategies of internet-based firms. This corporate strategy of entering new markets with new products has mainly focused on conventional firms. However, since the raise of the Internet the characteristics of firms have changed. The study involves the online character...

Unveiling the essence of the Knowledge Triangle

In order to overcome the innovation gap, the concept of Knowledge Triangle (KT) and Knowledge Triangle Integration (KTI) is gaining interest within national and European policies. It also functions as the cornerstone of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), which has a prominent role in Europe’s Horizon2020 strategy to...

Brand and product strategy for Alpine Hearing Protection - The 'next generation' earplug

This master thesis describes the development of a brand and product strategy for Alpine Hearing Protection. Alpine Hearing Protection has been active on the filtered generic earplug market for more than ten years with a wide range of hearing protection products for different target groups. Its main product focus is on umbrella shaped filtered...

The Road to Success: Effects of Top Management Supervision on NPD Processes and Outcomes

In this project the author studies the effect of top management supervision on two NPD structural elements, namely customer orientation and portfolio management processes, and on NPD success factors: new product innovativeness, NPD speed and costs. Additionally, the effect of the two aforementioned structural elements on the noted NPD success...

A Strategic Case

This graduation project is performed at Kofferfabriek Gefken, a small company that designs, produces and sells tailormade cases. More or less starting from scratch, a thorough internal and external analysis was performed, as well as two constructive sessions with the management. A new mission statement was formulated, and by using SWOT...

Really New Stories: The Effect of Early Concept Narratives on Consumer Understanding and Attitudes

Really New Stories typically describe a use setting and a main character - the hero - who is using a really new product. In this doctoral thesis, Ellis van den Hende explains why early consumer input during the development of really new products can be remarkably frustrating to new product managers and product developers. Ellis elucidates how...

Product differentiation project for voestalpine Polynorm Plastics B.V.

voestalpine Polynorm Plastics recently developed a new material, EASI. They furthermore are very dependent from the automotive industry and want to become less dependent from this industry. Therefore, new applications for EASI in industrial markets are searched in this graduation project. This is done by five creative sessions. Out of the...