Countering design exclusion

An in-depth understanding of inclusive design can be gained from the investigation of design exclusion. The general assessment methodology and feature-based expert assessment are described in the report, supported by a series of case studies. Research questions based on the industry investigation are raised to show the direction of further study, which focuses on generating effective, practical and accessible design support tools (knowledge tools and technical tools).

A framework for estimating difficulty and exclusion from tasks during inclusive design

Measuring capability variations within the population isanimportant process that can be used to support decision making regarding the inclusivity of design for all users, thus allowing the level of exclusion tobe defined veryearly and throughout the design process. Our hands often represent a central feature of the human-task interaction, and therefore, variations in the capabilities of the hands has the potential to exclude people from all or part of the tasks they perform. Data is presented from the performance of 15 people in one of three age groups (18-40, 41-64 and 65+). Using a classification system for defining hand actions the prevalence of different grips in response to a range of physical task demands was mapped in a way that allowed capability to be measured against other variables such as task quality. This was found toenhance thegranularity with which exclusion could be both measured and predicted.

A policy dimension required for technology roadmapping: Learning from the emergence of Chinese wind turbine industry

Innovation policies play an important role throughout the development process of emerging industries in China. Existing policy and industry studies view the emergence process as a black-box, and fail to understand the impacts of policy to the process along which it varies. This paper aims to develop a multi-dimensional roadmapping tool to better analyse the dynamics between policy and industrial growth for new industries in China. Through reviewing the emergence process of Chinese wind turbine industry, this paper elaborates how policy and other factors influence the emergence of this industry along this path. Further, this paper generalises some Chinese specifics for the policy-industry dynamics. As a practical output, this study proposes a roadmapping framework that generalises some patterns of policy-industry interactions for the emergence process of new industries in China. This paper will be of interest to policy makers, strategists, investors and industrial experts. Copyright © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Quantifying design exclusion

This part of the book aims to convince a designer that inclusive design is a realistic goal.

Building global products and competing in innovation: The role of chinese university spin-outs and required innovation capabilities

Usually, firms that produce innovative global products are discussed within the context of developed countries. New ventures in developing countries are typically viewed as low-cost product providers that generate technologically similar products to those produced by developed economies. However, this paper argues that some Chinese university spin-outs (USOs), although rare, have adopted a novel 'catch-up' strategy to build global products on the basis of indigenous platform technologies. This paper attempts to develop a conceptual framework to address the question: how do these specific Chinese USOs develop their innovation capabilities to build global products? In order to explore the idiosyncrasies of the specific USOs, this paper uses the multiple case studies method. The primary data sources are accessed through semi-structured interviews. In addition, archival data and other materials are used as secondary sources. The study analyses the configuration of capabilities that are needed for idiosyncratic growth, and maps them to the globalisation processes. This paper provides a strategic 'roadmap' as an explanatory guide to entrepreneurs, policy makers and investors to better understand the phenomena. © 2014 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.