Showing papers on "Product design specification published in 1986"

On the Nature of Competition With Differentiated Products

Abstract: There is an old debate going back to Bertrand (1883) and Edgeworth (1925) about the fragility of market equilibrium when competition arises among a few sellers. It was Hotelling's belief that price instability vanishes when products are differentiated (Hotelling, 1929). Recently attention was drawn to the fact that, even if product differentiation can weaken the forces leading to price instability, it cannot eliminate completely the possibility of price cycles (d'Aspremont et al. 1979). The purpose of this paper is to show that vertical and horizontal product differentiation do not operate in the same manner: a stable market outcome (including an endogenous product specification) arises more frequently with the former than with the latter.' Horizontal product differentiation is rooted in taste differences. More precisely, the potential customers have heterogeneous preferences about the proportion in which the attributes of the product should be combined. A wide range of substitute products can then survive in the same market simply because each of them combines the various attributes of the product in a proportion suitable to a particular segment of customers: between two products in the range the level of some attributes is augmented while that of others is lowered. Each variety has its own circle of customers, exactly as the inhabitants located around a particular shop form its potential market. None the less, competitors can raid these privileged market shares by adequate price cuts. By contrast, vertical product differentiation refers to a class of products which cohabit simultaneously on a given market, even though customers agree on a unanimous ranking between them: between two products in the range the level of all attributes is augmented or lowered. The survival of a low-quality product then rests on the seller's ability to sell it at a reduced price, compensating thereby for the higher a priori attractiveness of a more desirable quality. The seller of a low-quality product will specialise in the segment of customers whose propensity to spend on the corresponding range of products is low, either because they have relatively lower income, or relatively less intensive preferences, than other customers. At the same time, the seller of a high-quality product will enjoy an absolute advantage over his competitor.2 Interestingly, it turns out that price and product competition does not lead to the same results in these two situations, regarding the stability of the market equilibrium. To stress the differences, we have chosen to concentrate on two

Forecasting New Product Sales from Likelihood of Purchase Ratings

Abstract: This paper compares consumer likelihood of purchase ratings for a proposed new product to their actual purchase behavior after the product was introduced. The ratings were obtained from a mail survey a few weeks before the product was introduced. The analysis leads to a model for forecasting new product sales. The model is supported by both empirical evidence and a reasonable theoretical foundation. In addition to calibrating the relationship between questionnaire ratings and actual purchases, the empirical evidence demonstrates the significant effect of alternative promotion/distribution vehicles on new product sales. The model uses questionnaire data to extend the results of a limited market trial to alternative target markets, product specifications, and prices.

Innovation and re‐innovation: A role for the user

Abstract: Various models of the innovation process, from the “traditional” to the more recent, are examined in this paper which focuses on the implications for the role of the user in the innovation process. The author points out the need for greater recognition of the importance of users as active participants in the innovation process. In many industrial sectors user‐need specification and product development involve more than simply a passive role for the user and innovatory success is associated with active user involvement in product specification, design and development.

A static world policy simulation (swopsim) modeling framework

Abstract: This report documents a framework that can be used to create static world world Eolicy simulation (SWOPSIM) models. The framework consists of a simple economic structure which includes summary policy measures plus a set of computer programs which generates the models from a master model spreadsheet. The models created by the framework reside in spreadsheets and are modified and solved as spreadsheets. SWOPSIM models are designed to simulate the effect of changes in policies on production, consumption, and trade. The framework allows the construction of static single product as well as multiproduct world models. Economic linkages across products can occur via cross price relationships and "input-output" product specification while linkages across countries and regions take place through domestic-international price equations and world trade. The use of the SWOPSIM framework is illustrated with a simple world agricultural trade model.

An Integrated Approach to Software Development

Abstract: REQUIREMENTS. Requirements Discussion. Requirements Document Outline. SYSTEM SPECIFICATION. Discussion. Behavioral Specification Outline. Procedures Manual. Administrative Manual. DESIGN. Design Discussion. System Design Documentation. Component Documentation: Specification and Design. Abstraction and Specification. Appendixes. References. Index.

“Brand Name or Equal” Product Specifications

Abstract: Or Equal product specifications are the subject of this paper. A series of legal decisions are comprehensively reviewed to paint an operational framework for using brand name or equal specification...

Adhesives, Sealants, and Coatings for the Electronics Industry

Abstract: The second edition of this widely accepted industrial guide contains descriptions of more than 2,500 adhesives, sealants, and coatings, which are available to the electronics and related industries. The book, greatly expanded from the previous edition, is the result of information received from 80 manufacturers and distributors of these products. The data, including product specifications, represent selections from the manufacturers' descriptions made at no cost to, nor influence from, the makers or distributors of these materials. Only the most recent information has been included. It is believed that all of the products listed are currently available, which will be of interest to readers concerned with product discontinuances.

The CADCAM data exchange technical centre

Abstract: As the use of CAE becomes more widespread, there is an increasing need for the transfer of data between systems in electronic machine-readable form. The CADCAM Data Exchange Technical Centre at Leeds has been set up to help firms transfer product specification data from one CAD system to another.