Managing design in Chinese manufacturing industry

Since the term of design management emerged in the 1960s in Britain and Japan, the basic knowledge body of it has been established based on numerous studies. However, with its broad and vague scope, there is not a confirmed definition of it. At present, the three-level theory of design management content usually is utilized as research frame in this new discipline.;The approach to design management also varies in different countries, such as UK, U.S.A. and Japan, because of different history of design, utilization of design in industries, development of design consultancies, evolution of design education, and content of design management. In China, it emerged based on its own background. The concepts of modern design were not really introduced into China until the Open Policy in 1978. After that, it has developed rapidly. However, a gap between design theories and practice in industries has become evident during the process.;In this instance, it is necessary to understand design management practice in Chinese companies and find solutions for bridging this gap through researching practice of managing design in Chinese companies. These are the two objectives of this study.;This study conducted a combined research approach, in which qualitative research took dominate place. In the first stage, to understand design development in companies, hard and reliable data had been collected and analyzed through a quantitative approach: a survey with 117 valid questionnaires from the Pearl River Delta (PRD) and Yangzte River Delta (YRD). At the second stage, rich and deep data was achieved through a qualitative approach: interviews. The characteristics of design management in China were obtained through comparing the cases with the criteria. This finally led to six models and the recognition of Chinese approach to design management.;As a research initiative, this study contributes to the knowledge of design management in China. It also contributes to the practice, academic basis and education of design management in China by offering first-hand information and systemic understanding for Chinese and overseas researchers, as well as practitioners and educators of design management.