De Montfort University: Unit 34 - Design Supporting Business – Research-through-practice by practice as research (Portfolio) REF 2014

Ford, P. ORCID: 0000-0002-9607-3292, 2014. De Montfort University: Unit 34 - Design Supporting Business – Research-through-practice by practice as research (Portfolio) REF 2014. Leicester: De Montfort University.

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Abstract

This research investigates methods in which companies (Large Enterprises (LE’s) and Small
to Medium sized Enterprises (SME’s)) can be supported effectively in utilising design in their
New Product Development (NPD) strategies – thus benefitting the economy through efficient
innovation. This represents a highly original body of work bringing together findings from
over 180 design research projects across private sector commissions (LE’s and SME’s) and
a number of Government funded design support schemes (Improving Business by Design,
Manufacturing Advisory Service - Design Pilot Scheme, European Development Fund - SME
Design Support) all proposed and implemented by the investigator.

The research compares a number of combined design and funding support scenarios using
the ‘success’’ of products to market (generating revenue, creating/securing jobs) as
evidence of the relative efficacy of these methods. It proposes that companies who do not
have design capability will have increased success when supported by a design capable
body, that can manage and oversee all aspects of the design process from securing funding
through to manufacture (activity that extends beyond design consultancy alone). The
research identifies an 80% success rate for companies that utilise such support and a 90%
failure rate for those that don’t. The research also indicates that there is little difference
between projects which are 100% Government funded with those that are %50 Government
funded or with those that are %100 Private sector funded. This has implications on how
Governments can most cost effectively implement funding for SME’s in NPD.

Dissemination includes: Guest speaker, Origin Oman’s Product Design and Packaging
Workshop: Panel member for the PEIE 2009 (Oman): Guest speaker, opening event of the
University of Pelita Harapan, 2010 (Malaysia) Be Transformed Festival. Findings culminated
in a conference paper presented Boston 2012 and Antwerp 2012

Item Type:	Other
Description:	This was a De Montfort University REF 2014 UoA34 portfolio submission.
Creators:	Ford, P.
Publisher:	De Montfort University
Place of Publication:	Leicester
Date:	2014
Divisions:	Schools > School of Art and Design
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	20 Dec 2018 16:04
Last Modified:	20 Dec 2018 16:11
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/35409

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