| The study examines the factors facilitating the required level of integration and the level of integration that will be achieved. Some of the factors that the author put forward are the degree of environmental uncertainty, the degree of product/process newness, mode of coordination, mode of communication, roles of senior management, and the tolerance for ambiguity. She carried out an investigation by mail and online questionnaires. Forty-six project coordinators/NPD key personnel took part in it. She based her method of data analysis on the analysis of correlation and the analysis of partial least squares path modeling. The study findings, at the general level, showed the positive contribution of the factors on the integration in the initial phase and the implementation phase of the NPD process. The study findings also showed the negative effect of environmental uncertainty on the ideally required degree of integration in the implementation phase of the NPD process. Although this thesis stressed the model of the factors influencing this integration, she also examined the effect of R&D/Manufacturing integration gap on the NPD performance. The study with its findings can provide feedback to the theory of the innovation and organizational design. They comprise two implications. Initially, it gives some practical recommendations in management of innovation. Then, it allows us to refine the conceptual model on the factors influencing the cross-functional integration and the effects of the later on the performance of the innovation process. |