The global food ingredient industry is under increasing pressure to respond rapidly to changing consumer preferences, regulatory demands, and sustainability goals. Traditional new product development (NPD) models—such as stage-gate systems—have proven too rigid to meet these evolving demands, particularly in multinational companies managing geographically dispersed innovation teams. This study aims to develop a practical framework to enhance NPD responsiveness, coordination, and consumer alignment in R&D units of a global food ingredient company.
Using a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and internal documentation to identify key barriers and enablers of innovation performance. Data analysis was guided by five thematic enablers: global coordination, consumer insight integration, cross-functional collaboration, lean and agile practices, and digital tools. The findings highlight systemic challenges in fragmented innovation governance, underutilized market insights, rigid processes, and limited digital integration.
The study proposes a framework designed to address these gaps and strengthen innovation effectiveness. While focused on a single case, the results offer practical relevance for other food ingredient companies seeking to accelerate NPD cycles and deliver more market-aligned, scalable innovation in complex global
environments.
