Dimensional and Structural Hierarchy Analysis of Fuzzy Front End in Product Innovation

JIANG Wenbo; WANG Anran; MA Yuxiang; YU Lei; CHEN Guoqiang

doi:10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.08.024

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Packaging Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (8) : 289-299. DOI: 10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.08.024

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Dimensional and Structural Hierarchy Analysis of Fuzzy Front End in Product Innovation

JIANG Wenbo¹, WANG Anran², MA Yuxiang², YU Lei^2*, CHEN Guoqiang²

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Abstract

Fuzzy front end, as the most critical yet fragile stage in product innovation, decisively impacts the success and profitability of new product development. However, current study on fuzzy front end suffers from fragmented elements and unclear internal hierarchy. The work aims to integrate relevant literature, clarify internal elements, and establish priority levels. Using latent dirichlet allocation (LDA), this study systematically identified key elements in the fuzzy front end of product innovation from 1999 to 2023. The interpretative structural model (ISM) was used to further analyze internal relationships and prioritization. By combining LDA and ISM, this study revealed the complex interconnections among elements and refines their hierarchy. This study offers valuable insights for optimizing management and resource allocation in the fuzzy front end of product innovation, contributing to solutions for ambiguity and uncertainty in design.

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product innovation / fuzzy front end / product development / latent dirichlet allocation (LDA) / interpretative structural model (ISM)

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JIANG Wenbo, WANG Anran, MA Yuxiang, YU Lei, CHEN Guoqiang. Dimensional and Structural Hierarchy Analysis of Fuzzy Front End in Product Innovation[J]. Packaging Engineering. 2026, 47(8): 289-299 https://doi.org/10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.08.024

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