Researchers at Stanford University Publish Medical Device Development Model to Improve Performance and Execution

The model itself displays five major phases and four decision gates - it is application to both developers of complex and high-risk premarket approval (PMA) and premarket notification (501(k) devices as well as to manufacturers of more simplistic devices exempt from most regulatory requirements.  The Institute for Health Technology Studies (Washington, DC) displays the bench-to-bedside best practices analysis based on extensive interviews and research with 85 experts actively involved in the development, commercialization, regulation, and use of medical devices. 

See PDF - http://www.inhealth.org/doc/Page.asp?PageID=DOC000113

New developments in industry classification are here!  After the government developed NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) in 1997, replacing SIC (Standard Industrial Classification), which was developed in the 1930's, one would think industry classifications as a subject would be put to rest.  Certainly NAICS identifies about 1400 distinct "industries", whereas SIC had far fewer.  Corporate data providers group companies into industry sectors, between 20 and 700 sectors.

Yet now there's a new kid on the block - eCompetitor,Inc. which tackles the global economy with a taxonomy that is strategically relevant at the line of business level.

Most people use the term "industry" very loosely. For example - "the financial services industry", "the banking industry", "the commercial banking industry",and "the wholesale funds transfer services industry".  But only the later is a true industry at the appropriate level for a Michael Porter five forces analysis. 

The Global Industry Dashboard from eCompetitors was seven years in the making. The Global Industry Dashboard is different from all traditional classifications.  For one, industries are analyzed independently - not fixed to a single hierarchical structure - and not defined in terms of one primary or a few NAICS codes.  The dashboard considers competition on several levels - brand, immediate parent and top corporate parent name.  See www.eCompetitors.com to see for yourself.

Overhead at a recent Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) meeting:

People say you are what you eat.  In today's knowledge economy, you are what you know. Before you stick some information into your head and use it to make a decision, make sure you know where it's been.  

-- T.W. Powell Company, New York.

 If you're new to Research Helpline, you will find previous editions from 2007 archived in the News section at http://www.halperninfoservices.com. Help yourself to information and resources on blog research, social media, bankruptcy resources, consumer goods, foreign direct investment, transporation and life sciences too.