Integrated resource management: Creating sustainable advantages in the new product development process

Due to globalization, the challenges of developing competitive products have grown considerably. A strategy to face these challenges consists of managing resources adequately in the product development process. The management of resources is considered in two ways: the strategic approach aligns Innovation Management, Project Management and Resource Management; and the operational approach represents the acquisition and rational assessment of resources. The latter includes: (1) identification of the needs for resources, (2) analysis of potential sources, (3) building relationships with suppliers, (4) acquisition and (5) evaluation of the competitiveness of the product. A case study of the furniture sector in Brazil is analyzed. The study discusses the strategic importance of the supply chain for a wicker sofa, analyzes the relationship between the manufacturer and the suppliers and also ponders sustainability and the contribution of resources to the value of the product.