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Vol. 4, No. 1, Design Management Journal 2008
Friedemann Schaber, The University of Northampton, UK; Vicki Thomas, The University of Northampton, UK
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People often assume that design is international, understood by everyone. But with the cultural differences found within the global market, there is a learning process among all parties: designer, manufacturer, buyer, and consumer. Knowledge is exchanged among them all.
Higher education has the transmission of knowledge at its very core. In this article, Friedemann Schaber and Vicki Thomas write about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), a UK government-sponsored program, set up in 1975, which helps businesses to improve competitiveness and productivity through the better use of the knowledge, technology, and skills that reside within the UK knowledge base.
The paper sets out to explore some strengths and pitfalls of this academic-based knowledge transfer in the context of the global gift market, using case studies in the design and prototype development of a range of toys and seasonal items. Partly funded by the KTP scheme and lead by staff at The University of Northampton, design management competence is being developed for a range of businesses in the giftware sector, including the retail division of a charity and two producers and importers of giftware. Under this scheme, design graduates (associates) are placed within the companies to research, plan, and implement a new product design methodology by designing products such as giftware, decorative housewares, and toys.
The authors delve into the intricacies of the studies, the technology and processes of the companies, the skills of the students and their challenges in design, design management, ,operations, resource management, information transfer, and so forth. One case study was successful; two were ended prematurely. The authors describe in detail the experiences of the associates in each study, explore the reasons for success and failure, and describe the accommodations and improvements made by the university over the years as the program has grown and developed. The authors conclude that the UK economy gains through its backing of KTP programs, with greater business turnover and a rising UK design management skills base, and that the government promotion is proving successful in terms of knowledge transfer and increased trade.
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