Managing the product design‐supply chain interface: Towards a roadmap to the “design centric business”

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interface between product design and the supply chain and to develop a roadmap to the design centric business through better management of this interface.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is adopted. This enabled the development of a roadmap to inform businesses on how to develop a design centric business integrated with the extended supply chain.

Findings

The research shows that successful companies will be those which seek to extend and develop the contribution of design into all aspects of their business. The roadmap to a design centric business enables firms to better position product design within their business processes and helps facilitate better integration between product design and the supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

The findings from this research have been derived from a scoping study of a relatively small sample. However, the findings are grounded by a structured literature review and are generalisable to other industry sectors.

Originality/value

Design for the supply chain is an under‐explored area. The conceptual framework highlights the importance of the product design‐supply chain management interface and offers a roadmap for companies to develop a more design centric business.

Citation

Khan, O. and Creazza, A. (2009), "Managing the product design‐supply chain interface: Towards a roadmap to the “design centric business”", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 39 No. 4, pp. 301-319. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600030910962258