Title: Organisation of innovation projects in SMEs – contribution to concept products in the design process

Authors: Herve Christofol, Anthony Delamarre, Henri Samier

Addresses: Presence & Innovation Laboratory, Ecole Nationale superieure d'Arts et Metiers, 2 boulevard du Ronceray, 49000 Angers, France; Angers University, ISTIA Innovation, 62 avenue Notre Dame du Lac, 49000 Angers, France. ' Presence & Innovation Laboratory, Ecole Nationale superieure d'Arts et Metiers, 2 boulevard du Ronceray, 49000 Angers, France; Angers University, ISTIA Innovation, 62 avenue Notre Dame du Lac, 49000 Angers, France. ' Presence & Innovation Laboratory, Ecole Nationale superieure d'Arts et Metiers, 2 boulevard du Ronceray, 49000 Angers, France; Angers University, ISTIA Innovation, 62 avenue Notre Dame du Lac, 49000 Angers, France

Abstract: In this article, we propose to see how an innovation cell can be integrated into a small and medium undertaking (an |SME|). We will enlarge upon an original approach encompassing the idea of a |concept product| that we applied for the first time at ROSSIGNOL S.A., an SME based in France with a headcount of 230 employees. We will show how the organisation of innovation is configured in the product design process. The results demonstrate that, through this structure, we have enhanced the capability of the company to innovate.

Keywords: innovation cells; innovation process; concept products; design process; product design; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; product development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2009.023748

International Journal of Product Development, 2009 Vol.8 No.1, pp.42 - 62

Published online: 09 Mar 2009 *

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