Abstract:
Modern food industry leads to an increase of cheaper, healthier and more convenient
products. In order to become competitive enough, profitable and to meet the growing demand
of customer’s need of healthy and balanced food, food-processing firms develop new product
continually. Contrary to the case, there is an imminent treat faced by all companies, which is
the market success rate record of new products, is very low. The main objective of this study is
to examine the determinants of new product market success on food processing companies and
its implication to microalgae-based nutritional supplement and food commercialization in case
of Bahir Dar city. Mixed research approach with descriptive and explanatory research design
was employed to examine the five determinants namely technological orientation, new product
development process speed and timing, promotion, distribution and food safety regulation.
Purposive sampling particularly criterion sampling was adopted as a sampling method.
Companies which are in operation currently, have more than five year operation experience in
Bahir Dar city and the nature of the product that food-processing company produce is set as a
criteria. Based on the criterion 25 food processing companies are selected. 100 questionnaires
were distributed for each company general manager, marketing manager, operation manager
and research and development personals. 93 questionnaires were filed appropriately and
returned. Interviews were conducted selected food supplement producing company managers.
The data has been analyzed using descriptive and inferential analysis techniques
frequency, mean, correlation and multiple linear regression analysis supported with SPSS
version 26. The result of correlation indicated all included independent variable have
associate with the dependent variable and the overall result of R=.756. The study found that
technological orientation, new product development process speed and timing, promotion and
distribution have significant and positive impact on new product market success and food
safety regulation has significant negative impact on new product market success. The model
with these determinants was found to predict 56.2% of the variability of dependent variable
leaving the remaining 43.8% to variables not included in this study.
The researcher recommends that food processing firms should realize the effect of
determinants on new product market success and draft and implement appropriate strategy.