Repercussions of complex adaptive systems on product design management

Product design management is becoming an increasingly important concept. However, there is no generally accepted agreement as to exactly what activities this management involves. We therefore put forward the need to link design management with other convergent theoretical approaches that clarify and improve an understanding of the concept. In this study, we look at the implications of the ideas involved in complex adaptive systems, steeped in the new science of complexity, for product design management. Following on from this, we highlight four product design management activities: strengthening the relationships between firm members and the outside, fostering relationships between areas or people within the process of product design, increasing information flow to a maximum, and promoting a balanced heterogeneous participation in design decision making. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.