Conceptual Model and Hypotheses

This chapter develops the conceptual model that maps how the product safety context and product innovation affect product safety performance. The conceptual model is based on the MBNQA framework, the EFQM excellence framework, the innovation diamond, and conceptualizations of culture. We arrive at 12 hypotheses relating how internal context—such as product safety strategy and product safety culture—affects NPD practices (concurrent engineering and the NPD process) and how a firm structures NPD processes, supporting functions and activities (practices) for improving overall product safety.