Study on Industrial Design Outsourcing in New Product Development Process in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

This paper aims to empirically study the management and activities of industrial design (ID) outsourcing in new product development (NPD) process in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The research uses a multi-case study methodology. Data were collected from six companies in various sectors. The study shows external ID is urgently needed in SMEs, it can effectively support the NPD process and promote innovation. The introduction and roles of design expertise diverse in different firms, few are involved in the early phases of NPD. And the interaction and communication between ID firms and SMEs in NPD are still at a relatively low level. It is implicated that SMEs should pay more attention to integrate outsourced industrial design as an innovation input in the NPD process to explore consumer and market. A mechanism with teamwork, collaboration of different staffs, and face-to-face communication is efficient for a successful design interaction.