**2.4. Joint planning (PLAN)**

Joint planning, one of the structural linkages, is understood as the degree needed in developing the product strategy where marketing and sales ideally should reach a consensus [11]. The dimension is built on product strategy agreement and teamwork, as well as objectives, budgets and activities alignment [11]. Hence:

H7 Joint planning between the sales and marketing managers is positively related with the perceived relationship effectiveness during innovation deployment.

The significant negative relationship between the quality of cross-functional information and goal incongruity [4] suggests that the joint planning among functions engaged in NPD programs may be improved through cross-functional information sharing. Therefore:

H8 Communication amount is positively related with joint planning between marketing and sales during innovation deployment.

H9 Communication quality is positively related with joint planning between marketing and sales during innovation deployment.
