Product Innovation Knowledge Transfer for Developing Countries: Towards a systematic Transfer Approach

Abstract

The transfer of knowledge on product innovation to small- and medium-sized enterprises and local knowledge institutions in developing countries is expected to be one of the key drivers for competiveness and economical growth, and a part of the solution to environmental and social challenge. In that respect, this PhD study focuses on how the process of the current knowledge transfer takes place and how it can be improved. A combination of literature review and empirical research has resulted into a conceptual framework to describe the complex and dynamic process of product innovation knowledge transfer to developing countries. In order to improve this process, a systematic approach has been developed and operationalized by a needs assessment tool and a design manual: The UNEP Design for Sustainability for Developing Economies (D4S-DE) Manual (www.d4s-de.org). Both tools have been tested in practice by practitioners and have been evaluated by an academic review board.Design EngineeringIndustrial Design Engineerin