Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An investigation on the network topology of an evolving product family structure and its robustness and complexity

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Research in Engineering Design Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Products continuously change over time through product innovations satisfying new customer needs and technologies. The successive emergence of new products within a product family can be considered as product family evolution that necessarily involves changes in a product family design structure. Although product family design has been widely discussed in the extant literature, inherent evolving properties in a product family design structure have not been sufficiently explored in an analytical manner. To tackle this issue, this research aims to characterize underlying properties in an evolving product family structure based on a network science approach. First, a product family structure is represented as a network to describe relationships among the components of a product family structure. Then, topological properties and patterns in a product family structure network at each time period are investigated through a case study using the smartphone models of a major company. The results show that each product family structure network follows the topological properties observed in other real networks; the product family structure network evolves with both scale-free and small-world properties and with common and specific motifs during each specific time duration. Also, findings from this study suggest that a design structure with a scale-free network topology with commonality can have topological robustness due to a decrease in structural complexity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albert R, Barabási A-L (2000) Topology of evolving networks: local events and universality. Phys Rev Lett 85:5234–5237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Albert R, Barabási A-L (2002) Statistical mechanics of complex networks. Rev Mod Phys 74:47–97

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Albert R, Jeong H, Barabási A-L (2000) Error and attack tolerance of complex networks. Nature 406:378–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Albert R, Albert I, Nakarado GL (2004) Structural vulnerability of the North American power grid. Phys Rev E 69:025103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alizon F, Khadke K, Thevenot HJ, Gershenson JK, Marion TJ, Shooter SB, Simpson TW (2007) Frameworks for product family design and development. Concurr Eng 15:187–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ameri F, Summers JD, Mocko GM, Porter M (2008) Engineering design complexity: an investigation of methods and measures. Res Eng Des 19:161–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson DM, Pine JB, Pineii BJ (1997) Agile Product development for mass customization: how to develop and deliver products for mass customization, niche markets, JIT, Build-to-order, and flexible manufacturing. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Barabási A-L (2009) Scale-free networks: a decade and beyond. Science 325:412–413

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Barabási A-L (2016) The scale-free property. In: Barabási A-L (ed) Network science. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Barabási A-L, Albert R (1999) Emergence of scaling in random networks. Science 286:509–512

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Bonchev D (2003) Shannon’s information and complexity. In: Bonchev D, Rouvray DH (eds) Complexity in chemistry: introduction and fundamentals. Taylor & Francis, London, pp 157–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonchev D, Buck GA (2005) Quantitative measures of network complexity. In: Bonchev D, Rouvray DH (eds) Complexity in chemistry, biology, and ecology. Springer, Boston, pp 191–235

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Braha D (2016) The complexity of design networks: structure and dynamics. In: Cash P, Stankovic T, Štorga M (eds) Experimental design research. Springer, Switzerland, pp 129–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Braha D, Bar-Yam Y (2004a) Information flow structure in large-scale product development organizational networks. J Inf Technol 19:244–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braha D, Bar-Yam Y (2004b) Topology of large-scale engineering problem-solving networks. Phys Rev E 69:016113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braha D, Bar-Yam Y (2006) From centrality to temporary fame: dynamic centrality in complex networks. Complexity 12:59–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braha D, Bar-Yam Y (2007) The statistical mechanics of complex product development: empirical and analytical results. Manag Sci 53:1127–1145

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Braha D, Bar-Yam Y (2009) Time-dependent complex networks: dynamic centrality, dynamic motifs, and cycles of social interactions. In: Gross T, Sayama H (eds) Adaptive networks. Springer, Berlin, pp 39–50

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Braha D, Maimon O (1998) The measurement of a design structural and functional complexity. IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybern Part A Syst Hum 28:241–277

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Bryan A, Hu SJ, Koren Y (2013) Assembly system reconfiguration planning. J Manuf Sci Eng 135:041005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calabrese G (1997) Communication and co-operation in product development: a case study of a European car producer. R&D Manag 27:239–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Centola D (2008) Failure in complex social networks. J Math Sociol 33:64–68

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Chu D (2011) Complexity: against systems. Theory Biosci 130:229–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Closs DJ, Jacobs MA, Swink M, Webb GS (2008) Toward a theory of competencies for the management of product complexity: six case studies. J Oper Manag 26:590–610

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cui L, Kumara ST, Albert R (2010) Complex networks: an engineering view. IEEE Circuits Syst Mag 10:10–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du X, Jiao J, Tseng MM (2001) Architecture of product family: fundamentals and methodology. Concurr Eng 9:309–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duray R, Ward PT, Milligan GW, Berry WL (2000) Approaches to mass customization: configurations and empirical validation. J Oper Manag 18:605–625

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ElMaraghy H, Schuh G, ElMaraghy W, Piller F, Schönsleben P, Tseng M, Bernard A (2013) Product variety management. CIRP Ann Manuf Technol 62:629–652

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eppinger SD, Whitney DE, Smith RP, Gebala DA (1994) A model-based method for organizing tasks in product development. Res Eng Des 6:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson S, Kasprzak E, Lewis K (2009) Designing a family of reconfigurable vehicles using multilevel multidisciplinary design optimization. Struct Multidiscip Optim 39:171–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gershenson JK, Prasad GJ, Zhang Y (2003) Product modularity: definitions and benefits. J Eng Des 14:295–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giovannini A, Aubry A, Panetto H, El Haouzi H, Canciglieri O, Pierrel L (2016) Knowledge representation, retrieval and reuse for product family design: an anti-logicist approach. Comput Ind Eng 101:391–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gokpinar B, Hopp WJ, Iravani SM (2010) The impact of misalignment of organizational structure and product architecture on quality in complex product development. Manag Sci 56:468–484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halman JIM, Hofer AP, Van Vuuren W (2003) Platform-driven development of product families: linking theory with practice. J Prod Innov Manag 20:149–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou L, Wu Y-m, Lai R-s, Huang SH (2013) Evaluation and driver analysis in product family evolution. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 69:863–874

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang X, Kristal MM, Schroeder RG (2008) Linking learning and effective process implementation to mass customization capability. J Oper Manag 26:714–729

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • iFixit (2015) iPhone 6 s Plus teardown. http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+6s+Plus+Teardown/48171. Accessed 8 Dec 2016

  • iFixit (2016) Apple iPhone repair. http://www.ifixit.com/Device/iPhone. Accessed 8 Dec 2016

  • Jacobs MA (2013) Complexity: toward an empirical measure. Technovation 33:111–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeong H, Mason SP, Barabási A-L, Oltvai ZN (2001) Lethality and centrality in protein networks. Nature 411:41–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiao J, Tseng MM (1999) A methodology of developing product family architecture for mass customization. J Intell Manuf 10:3–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiao J, Simpson TW, Siddique Z (2007) Product family design and platform-based product development: a state-of-the-art review. J Intell Manuf 18:5–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson MD, Kirchain R (2010) Developing and assessing commonality metrics for product families: a process-based cost-modeling approach. IEEE Trans Eng Manag 57:634–648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu H, Özer Ö (2009) Managing a product family under stochastic technological changes. Int J Prod Econ 122:567–580

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu F, Qi G, Yang Q (2006) Forecast method for used number of parts and components based on complex network. Front Mech Eng China 1:479–484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu F, Song S, Deng X (2008) Research on evolving rule of part relation network of product family. Int J Mater Struct Integr 1:334–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu E, Hsiao S-W, Hsiao S-W (2014) A decision support system for product family design. Inf Sci 281:113–127

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer MH (1997) Revitalize your product lines through continuous platform renewal. Res Technol Manag 40:17–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer MH, Lehnerd AP (1997) The power of product platforms: building value and cost leadership. Free Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer MH, Utterback J (1993) The product family and the dynamics of core capability. Sloan Manag Rev 34:29–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Milo R, Shen-Orr S, Itzkovitz S, Kashtan N, Chklovskii D, Alon U (2002) Network motifs: simple building blocks of complex networks. Science 298:824–827

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell M (2009) Complexity: a guided tour. Oxford University Press, New York

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Muffatto M, Roveda M (2000) Developing product platforms: analysis of the development process. Technovation 20:617–630

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nayak RU, Chen W, Simpson TW (2002) A variation-based method for product family design. Eng Optim 34:65–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newman MEJ (2010) Networks: an introduction. Oxford University Press, New York

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Ohvanainen J, Hietikko E (2012) Building competitive advantage through platform-based product family thinking: case powerpacks. J Ind Eng Manag 5:180–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Ong SK, Xu QL, Nee AYC (2006) Design reuse methodology for product family design. CIRP Ann Manuf Technol 55:161–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orfi N, Terpenny J, Sahin-Sariisik A (2011) Harnessing product complexity: step 1—establishing product complexity dimensions and indicators. Eng Econ 56:59–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Otto KN, Wood KL (1998) Product evolution: a reverse engineering and redesign methodology. Res Eng Des 10:226–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park K, Okudan Kremer GE (2015) Assessment of static complexity in design and manufacturing of a product family and its impact on manufacturing performance. Int J Prod Econ 169:215–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perc M (2009) Evolution of cooperation on scale-free networks subject to error and attack. New J Phys 11:033027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pirmoradi Z, Wang GG (2011) Recent advancements in product family design and platform-based product development: a literature review. In: ASME 2011 international design engineering technical conferences and computers and information in engineering conference, Washington, DC, August 28–31. pp ASME paper no. DETC2011-47959

  • Rinne M (2004) Technology roadmaps: infrastructure for innovation. Technol Forecast Soc Change 71:67–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roy R, Evans R, Low M, Williams D (2011) Addressing the impact of high levels of product variety on complexity in design and manufacture. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part B J Eng Manuf 225:1939–1950

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salhieh SEM (2007) A methodology to redesign heterogeneous product portfolios as homogeneous product families. Comput Aided Des 39:1065–1074

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salvador F, Forza C, Rungtusanatham M (2002) Modularity, product variety, production volume, and component sourcing: theorizing beyond generic prescriptions. J Oper Manag 20:549–575

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanderson S, Uzumeri M (1995) Managing product families: the case of the Sony Walkman. Res Policy 24:761–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sawhney MS (1998) Leveraged high-variety strategies: from portfolio thinking to platform thinking. J Acad Mark Sci 26:54–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seepersad CC, Mistree F, Allen JK (2002) A quantitative approach for designing multiple product platforms for an evolving portfolio of products. In: ASME 2002 international design engineering technical conferences and computers and information in engineering conference, Montreal, Canada, September 20–October 2. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, pp 579–592

  • Shannon CE (2001) A mathematical theory of communication. ACM SIGMOBILE Mob Comput Commun Rev 5:3–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shao WP, Hao YP, Zeng PF (2012) Study on product family architecture dynamic evolution based on product instances. Adv Mater Res 472:2612–2616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen-Orr SS, Milo R, Mangan S, Alon U (2002) Network motifs in the transcriptional regulation network of Escherichia coli. Nat Genet 31:64–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shibata T, Yano M, Kodama F (2005) Empirical analysis of evolution of product architecture: Fanuc numerical controllers from 1962 to 1997. Res Policy 34:13–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shooter SB, Evans CM, Simpson TW (2007) Building a better ice scraper—a case in product platforms for the entrepreneur. J Intell Manuf 18:159–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson TW (2004) Product platform design and customization: status and promise. Artificial intelligence for engineering design. Anal Manufact 18:3–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson TW, Siddique Z, Jiao RJ (2006) Product platform and product family design: methods and applications. Springer Science & Business Media, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sivadasan S, Efstathiou J, Calinescu A, Huatuco LH (2006) Advances on measuring the operational complexity of supplier–customer systems. Eur J Oper Res 171:208–226

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Sköld M, Karlsson C (2013) Stratifying the development of product platforms: requirements for resources, organization, and management styles. J Prod Innov Manag 30:62–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sosa ME, Eppinger SD, Rowles CM (2004) The misalignment of product architecture and organizational structure in complex product development. Manag Sci 50:1674–1689

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steward DV (1981) The design structure system: a method for managing the design of complex systems. IEEE Trans Eng Manag EM-28:71–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sui RB, Zhong GJ (2008) Research on degree distribution of networks of parts relationship for product family on scale-free networks. In: The 4th international conference on wireless communications, networking and mobile computing, Dalian, Chaina, October 12–17, 2008, pp 1–4

  • Thadakamaila HP, Raghavan UN, Kumara S, Albert R (2004) Survivability of multiagent-based supply networks: a topological perspective. IEEE Intell Syst 19:24–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thevenot HJ, Simpson TW (2009) A product dissection-based methodology to benchmark product family design alternatives. J Mech Des 131:041002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thevenot HJ, Nanda J, Simpson TW (2005) A methodology to support product family redesign using genetic algorithm and commonality indices. In: ASME 2005 international design engineering technical conferences and computers and information in engineering conference, Long Beach, CA, September 24–28, pp 1009–1018

  • Tseng MM, Jiao J, Merchant ME (1996) Design for mass customization. CIRP Ann Manuf Technol 45:153–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tu Q, Vonderembse MA, Ragu-Nathan T (2001) The impact of time-based manufacturing practices on mass customization and value to customer. J Oper Manag 19:201–217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker CS, Kim HM (2008) Optimal product portfolio formulation by merging predictive data mining with multilevel optimization. J Mech Des 130:041103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich K (1995) The role of product architecture in the manufacturing firm. Res Policy 24:419–440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wernicke S (2005) A faster algorithm for detecting network motifs. In: the 5th international workshop on algorithms in bioinformatics, Mallorca, Spain, October 3–6, pp 165–177

  • Wernicke S, Rasche F (2006) FANMOD: a tool for fast network motif detection. Bioinformatics 22:1152–1153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wheelwright SC, Sasser WE Jr (1989) The new product development map. Harv Bus Rev 67:112–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu X, Gao L, Fang S (2008) Product family architecture evolution based on technology evolution theory of TRIZ. In: The 7th world congress on intelligent control and automation, Chongqing, China, June 25–27, pp 5662–5666

  • Yeang C-H, Huang L-C, Liu W-C (2012) Recurrent structural motifs reflect characteristics of distinct networks. In: 2012 IEEE/ACM international conference on advances in social networks analysis and mining (ASONAM), Istanbul, Turkey, August 26–29, pp 551–557

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Incheon National University (International Cooperative) Research Grant in 2018.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, Republic of Korea

    Kijung Park

  2. Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Gül E. Okudan Kremer

Authors
  1. Kijung Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gül E. Okudan Kremer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kijung Park.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Appendix

Appendix

See Figs. 15 and 16.

Fig. 15
figure 15

Smartphone product family architecture networks

Full size image
Fig. 16
figure 16

Fitted power-law plot for smartphone product family structure networks

Full size image

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Park, K., Okudan Kremer, G.E. An investigation on the network topology of an evolving product family structure and its robustness and complexity. Res Eng Design 30, 381–404 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00163-019-00310-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00163-019-00310-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation