Communication between design and manufacturing A study of a Swedish startup company

Abstract

Communication between design and manufacturing is crucial for mutual understanding, yet mutual understanding between the two has been a challenge over the years. The aim of this thesis is to explore potential causes of a communication problem between design and manufacturing. A literature study related to communication and cooperation between design and manufacturing was conducted to create the theoretical framework. Data were collected through qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews, immersion and observations. The data are presented in a timeline that is categorised into events, and analysed where further findings through immersion and observations were also established. The analysis of the results is discussed using the theoretical framework in order to identify the potential causes of the problem. The conclusion shows potential individual-, organisational- and interaction-related causes of the problem that have led to misunderstandings and subsequent manufacturing errors, and what could have been done differently. The study gives the case company not only identification of potential causes of the problem, but also some suggestions on what could have been done differently within their organisational, inter-organisational communication and the design-manufacturing interface. The findings of the thesis might be limited to other startup companies of similar characteristics.