INTEGRATING R&D MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS

Diana Nicoleta Raba, Tiberiu Iancu, Mariana Ramona Ciolac, Tabita Adamov, Elena Peț, Diana Marin, Bianca Florina Stanciu

Abstract


The confectionery industry faces increasing pressure to innovate while addressing consumer demands for novel textures, flavors, and sustainable ingredients. This study explores the integration of structured Research and Development management practices in the systematic design of innovative cookie-category pastries with minimal processing, free from additives and preservatives, while maximizing nutritional value. This approach ensures compliance with dietary standards while aligning with consumer preferences for clean-label products. The product development strategy employed in this study encompasses: (1) new product conceptualization, (2) product design and development, (3) identification of key competitors, (4) market price determination and (5) formulation of marketing and commercialization strategies for the newly developed products and (6) sustainability considerations. The performed SWOT analysis identified organizational strengths in innovative product development with clean-label and high-quality attributes, while highlighting reduced product shelf-life compared to industry benchmarks as the primary weakness stemming from strict adherence to natural ingredient formulations. Three new cookie varieties were selected for development based on market research findings: plain fennel cookies, fennel-sesame cookies, and fennel-cayenne pepper cookies. This research provides actionable insights for SMEs and large manufacturers navigating the challenges of sustainable product development in the global sweets market.

Keywords


cookies; innovative products; development strategy; clean-label cookies

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Copyright (c) 2025 Diana Nicoleta Raba, TIBERIU IANCU, MARIANA RAMONA CIOLAC, TABITA ADAMOV, ELENA PEȚ, DIANA MARIN, BIANCA FLORINA STANCIU

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LUCRĂRI ȘTIINȚIFICE MANAGEMENT AGRICOL

ISSN print 1453-1410
ISSN online 2069-2307
(former ISSN 1453-1410, E-ISSN 2069-2307)

PUBLISHER: AGROPRINT Timisoara, Romania
PAPER ACCESS: Full text articles available for free
FREQUENCY: Annual
PUBLICATION LANGUAGE: English

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Banat`s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara
Faculty of Management and Rural Tourism
300645, Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, Romania

E-mail: tabitaadamov2003 [at] yahoo.com
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