Managing Design in the Chinese Manufacturing Industry

Liu Xihui (2010)

Regarding the development of design management in mainland China, its theories are mainly borrowed from foreign countries without being contextualised according to local conditions. This research investigates the current practice of design management in design companies in mainland China and develops a theoretical framework that mainly serves for the manufacturing industry in China. Utilising the findings from an empirical study in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) and Yangzte River Delta (YRD) of mainland China, this study illustrates the current design management situation in the manufacturing industry. Twelve companies were selected to examine the characteristics of design management in Chinese companies and relative measures were proposed for managing design manufacture-based companies within mainland China. The result was the development of a theoretical framework of Chinese design management incorporating six models whereby practitioners of design management can learn practical experience and ways of managing design from the models. This research contributes to the debate on design management in China by offering first-hand information and systemic understanding.