Abstract
In the United Kingdom, there have been a number of national and regional initiatives to develop the application of design in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Design-led manufacturing is seen as the principal means by which SMEs in traditional industries can combat the threat of low cost overseas labour and compete successfully in the global marketplace. There is also a complementary movement to develop clusters of companies and other bodies in various industrial sectors. This paper describes the experience of the Design Knowledge Network, a £1.5m project part-funded by the European Union and Advantage West Midlands, the West Midlands regional development agency. The project aims to improve innovation in SMEs through their use of design and the exchange of best practice between companies. Through creating this design knowledge network, important lessons have been learnt. Additionally, the project provides a model that has great potential for further design research.
Citation
Burns, K., and Ingram, J. (2004) Creating a Design Knowledge Network., in Redmond, J., Durling, D. and de Bono, A (eds.), Futureground - DRS International Conference 2004, 17-21 November, Melbourne, Australia. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2004/researchpapers/175
Creating a Design Knowledge Network.
In the United Kingdom, there have been a number of national and regional initiatives to develop the application of design in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Design-led manufacturing is seen as the principal means by which SMEs in traditional industries can combat the threat of low cost overseas labour and compete successfully in the global marketplace. There is also a complementary movement to develop clusters of companies and other bodies in various industrial sectors. This paper describes the experience of the Design Knowledge Network, a £1.5m project part-funded by the European Union and Advantage West Midlands, the West Midlands regional development agency. The project aims to improve innovation in SMEs through their use of design and the exchange of best practice between companies. Through creating this design knowledge network, important lessons have been learnt. Additionally, the project provides a model that has great potential for further design research.