( PDF 340 kb )
Design investments in small wood manufacturing companies: problems and possibilities of using design expertise in product development
AUTHOR
Ekberg, Kajsa
DEPARTMENT
Human Work Sciences / Product Design
SUMMARY More specifically the objectives were:
The results indicate that using design experts in product development can
be of importance for creating a competitive edge for small manufacturers if
used efficiently. Design investments cannot be considered a guarantee for
success, however, and it should be clear that small wood manufacturers,
also ones of similar size and structure, face different needs for design
and possess different competence to manage design effectively.
Product development processes were seen to depend widely on the existing
conditions and hence vary from project to project. No formalized methods
were used in the studied design projects and processes were managed more or
less on an ad hoc basis. Limited resources concerning finances, personnel
and design competence, together with a lack of planning and process
structure, were seen to affect the project outcome negatively, whereas
previous design experience, management by the designer when a company
lacked experience, external financing, and a good relationship and tight
communication between the company and the designer were identified as
success factors.
Differences in project perspective, experience level, and starting points
cause managers and designers to take different views on problems and
opportunities occurring in a design project and therefore cause
communication difficulties and affect project cooperation negatively. It
seems that to get these perspectives to meet is a large challenge to
achieve successful cooperation.
Previous research has shown that effective use of design by small companies
can contribute positively to business performance and competitiveness. The
Swedish wood manufacturing industry is facing intensified global
competition. In many, especially smaller, companies the struggle for their
survival involves an imperative to find new ways of development in order to
increase profit. Design and product development are traditionally given low
priority in many companies, but design investments are now seen as an
important opportunity to create competitive advantages for small wood
manufacturing companies. Until today, however, very little research has
been published addressing product development and design in small wood
manufacturing companies. The main purpose of this research was to document
how small wood manufacturing companies invest in design and use
professional design skills in product development.
The results are presented in three papers based on two multiple case
studies of small wood manufacturing companies in Sweden. In the first
study, presented in paper A, data was collected from nine wood
manufacturing companies located in the county of Norrbotten. Papers B and C
were based on the second study, which comprised four small wood
manufacturing companies, located in the counties of Norrbotten and Småland,
together with their associated design consultants. Data collection methods
in both studies involved mainly semi-structured interviews complemented by
questionnaires, an approach chosen to achieve both broad and deep
understanding of each studied case.
ISSN 1402-1757 / ISRN LTU-LIC--05/78--SE / NR 2005:78
