Enhancing the Design Capabilities of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Through Knowledge Transfer

Abstract

The National Centre for Product Design & Development Research (PDR) has generated extensive case study material based on over 20 successful Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). These KTP projects have concentrated on enhancing the design capabilities of a range of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in order to facilitate innovation and new product development. This paper highlights the opportunities for design and development within SMEs, and provides a rationale for knowledge transfer. PDR's research has identified four issues that characterize design challenges within SMEs: (i) the impact of the owner-manager; (ii) the resource-constrained environment; (iii) the need for an effective design process; and (iv) promoting a company vision for innovation and change. The paper employs twelve exemplar KTP case studies (three in each of these four areas) to fully define these issues and draw conclusions with regard to a framework for effective product design within SMEs.

KEYWORDS:

• product design and development
• small and medium-sized enterprises
• knowledge transfer

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Huw Millward

BIOGRAPHYM

Dr Huw Millward is Senior Research Officer at The National Centre for Product Design & Development Research (PDR). His research interests include design-led technologies and innovation management within SMEs. He has supervised five KTP programmes to successful completion. These programmes have typically implemented an advanced design resource within a traditional manufacturing setting. He holds a first degree in Engineering Science and a doctorate in Medical Engineering. He has extensive experience of design and development projects, covering partnerships with multinationals, high-tech university spinouts and small family-owned firms.

Chris Byrne

Christopher Byrne is Technical Director at The National Centre for Product Design & Development Research (PDR). He is a chartered mechanical engineer with several years' experience in senior engineering positions within the steel and automotive industries, involved mainly in product design, development, validation and manufacturing activities. Since joining PDR in 2003, he has held supervisory positions on several SME-based design and development KTP programmes throughout the UK.

Alan Lewis

Professor Alan Lewis is Director of The National Centre for Product Design & Development Research (PDR). He was one of the founders of PDR and has worked with many companies in a variety of industry sectors helping them to improve their product development processes. He has a particular knowledge of the SME sector of the economy and has published extensively on product development within this sector. His current research interests include product design management and international approaches to the provision of design support mechanisms. He has published over sixty papers in these areas and in related fields.