Integration, learning and continuous improvement in the product development process: a core competence reference model and exploration study in Brazilian companies

Summary form only given as follows. This paper presents the results of an ongoing study about the relationship between integration, continuous improvement and learning in the product development process. The study was conducted in four Brazilian companies from the automotive industry. The variables were analyzed by a matrix to compare them with the managerial practices and show the intensity of this relationship qualitatively and subjectively. The initial results show that integration, learning and continuous improvements are not routinely used by managers. However, some aspects of these three factors are adopted: required standards, approaches that were identified by benchmarking in other companies and techniques applied by a TQM program. A model is proposed that allows the identification and management of core competencies in the product development process.