Status: Finished project
Schedule: 2007-06 – 2008-12
CBI staff: Maria Elmquist and Thomas Hordern
Funding: CBI internal
Description: The objective of this research was to identify how the design competence engages and facilitates the pursuit of radical innovation. The project investigated both leading design consultancies and large multinational firms, located in America, Asia, Australia, Europe and the UK. The objective was to understand the intersection of design within innovation to identify the capabilities that support the creation, development and commercialization of novel ideas.
Results: So far, two conference publications has been written, but the objective is to develop this paper into a journal article. The project has also contributed to our knowledge on design management and laid the ground for the recently launched project on how to use design practices in innovation, and for the collaboration with Volvo IT Innovation Group.

• Hordern T. and Elmquist M. Design in innovation: how external design firms contribute to the development of the innovative capabilities of large firms, International Society for Professional Innovation Management Symposium, Singapore, December 14-17, 2008.
• Hordern, T. and Elmquist M., The Role of Design Firms in Innovation: How Design Firms Contribute to the Innovative Capabilities of Core Firms, European Academy of Management Conference, Liverpool, UK, May 11-14, 2009.