scholarly journals A Case Study of University–Industry Collaboration for Sustainable Furniture Design

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 10915
Author(s):  
Jo Kuys ◽  
Abdullah Al Mahmud ◽  
Blair Kuys

This paper describes the importance of including a Human-Centred Design (HCD) approach for successful university–industry collaboration. We detail user surveys and user evaluation techniques to engage end-users for the rejuvenation of manufacturing industries through sustainable product development. There are numerous studies describing the importance of university–industry collaboration; however, very few portray the detailed working relationships necessary to fulfil both the university and the industry agenda. This paper explores a joint project between a prominent Melbourne-based university and a government organisation from Malaysia. The intention was to innovate a range of furniture for Malaysian dormitories to stimulate the local manufacturing sector and provide high-value product applications for Malaysia’s abundant timber sector. By detailing a HCD approach, we reveal how to better direct the design outcomes to accurately reflect the research intent. This is detailed through a case study showing how the research data was translated into final product concepts influenced by end-users and collaboration with the industry stakeholders. The resulting products are a range of sustainable, modular dormitory furniture with a direct route to market. Finally, we provide the lessons learned and suggestions for developing sustainable products through university–industry collaboration.

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 401-409
Author(s):  
Ke Chen ◽  
Weisheng Lu ◽  
Jing Wang

Over the past decade, the global construction industry has shown a clear and urgent need for its professionals to command building information modeling (BIM) knowledge. Many educational institutions have thus incorporated BIM into their construction engineering and management-related programs. However, BIM education faces several challenges, such as the difficulties in transforming existing programs, a lack of instructors with sufficient practical knowledge and misalignment of educational outcomes and industry needs. Many educators thus advocate university–industry collaboration, but this effort is hampered by unanswered questions, including when, what and how both parties can contribute to the collaboration to achieve a win–win situation. This article attempts to answer these key questions in BIM education by relating them to university–industry collaboration in pedagogical design, course delivery and educational outcomes. It does so by conducting a case study whereby the researchers adopted a non-participant observation approach to observe the experience of participants in teaching and learning a BIM course. Feedback from the participants showed that such collaboration could help to narrow the gap between educational outcomes and industry needs. Based on that outcome, another contribution of this research is an analytical framework developed and substantiated to provide a more structured way to guide ‘town and gown’ collaboration for BIM education.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 1440005 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHANNA WALLIN ◽  
OLA ISAKSSON ◽  
ANDREAS LARSSON ◽  
BENGT-OLOF ELFSTRÖM

A key challenge for competence networking is the difficulty of contextual understanding between people from different organizations. Despite close collaboration, full insight into a company is difficult, although desirable, for university partners to achieve and vice versa. The case study described in this paper is of a company with long experience of university–industry collaboration. The paper reports on a designerly approach to overcome barriers of university–industry collaboration. The approach is combined with strategic, tactic and operational dimensions. It builds on three corresponding mechanisms: a tool to facilitate strategic understanding, workshops to facilitate tactical co-creation, and prototyping to facilitate operational ideation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-59
Author(s):  
Jari Jussila ◽  
Jukka Raitanen ◽  
Atte Partanen ◽  
Vesa Tuomela ◽  
Ville Siipola ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Terrill ◽  
Justin J. MacKenzie ◽  
Maija Reblin ◽  
Jackie Tyne Einers ◽  
Jesse Ferraro ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Individuals with disability and their partners, who often provide care, are both at risk for depression and lower quality of life. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are promising to address barriers for mental health care. Rehabilitation researchers and software development researchers must collaborate effectively with each other, and with clinical and patient stakeholders to ensure successful mHealth development. OBJECTIVE To aid researchers interested in mHealth software development by describing the collaborative process between a team of rehabilitation researchers, software development researchers, and stakeholders. Thus, we provide a framework (conceptual model) for other teams to replicate in order to build a web-based mHealth app for individuals with physical disability. METHODS Rehabilitation researchers, software development researchers, and stakeholders (people with physical disabilities and clinicians) are involved in an iterative software development process. The overall process to develop an mHealth intervention includes initial development meetings and a co-design method called “designbox”, in which the needs and key elements of the app are discussed. Based on the objectives outlined, a prototype is developed and goes through scoping iterations with feedback from stakeholders and end-users. The prototype is then tested by users to identify technical errors and gather feedback on usability and accessibility. RESULTS Illustrating the overall development process, we present a case study based on our experience developing an app (SupportGroove) for couples coping with spinal cord injury. Examples of how we addressed specific challenges are also included. For example, feedback from stakeholders resulted in development of app features for individuals with limited functional ability. Initial designs lacked accessibility design principles made visible by end-users. Solutions included large text, single-click, and minimal scrolling to facilitate menu navigation for individuals using eye-gaze technology. Prototype testing allowed further refinement and demonstrated high usability and engagement with activities in the app. Qualitative feedback indicated high levels of satisfaction, accessibility, and confidence in potential utility. We also present key lessons learned about working in a collaborative interdisciplinary team. CONCLUSIONS mHealth promises to help overcome barriers to mental health intervention access. However, the development of these interventions can be challenging because of the disparate and often siloed expertise required. By describing the mHealth software development process and illustrating it with a successful case study of rehabilitation researchers, software development researchers, and stakeholders collaborating effectively, our goal is to help other teams avoid challenges we faced and benefit from our lessons learned. Ultimately, good interdisciplinary collaboration will benefit individuals with disabilities and their families. CLINICALTRIAL n/a


Author(s):  
Jonathan Cagan ◽  
Richard Clark ◽  
Pratip Dastidar ◽  
Simon Szykman ◽  
Paul Weisser

Abstract An effective partnership between industry and the university resulted in the system of design tools for the layout of HVAC systems presented in this paper and illustrated with the design of a heat pump. The system provides tools to assist in the placement of components and routing of tubes between the components. Traditional tubes, tubes that have minimized length and number of bends, and those that are impossible to route in the traditional manner, are generated. The paper provides insight on both the collaborative research interaction and the resulting set of tools.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 470-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trish Gibson ◽  
Donald Kerr ◽  
Ron Fisher

Purpose There is an acknowledged need to advance the supply chain management (SCM) learning agenda, with an emphasis on integration. This paper discuss an Australian university–industry collaboration aimed at accelerating SCM learning and offers some insight into models for building a forward-looking SCM. Design/methodology/approach The research is an exploratory case study of the industry–university collaboration, using grounded theory procedures. The primary data involved 25 interviews with key participants from the university and industry partners, and from the first cohort of students in the undergraduate program developed within the collaboration. Findings A theoretical framework for accelerating SCM learning was developed from the case study data; it comprises six constructs that influence, at strategic and operational levels, the acceleration of SCM learning. Four cross-construct concepts from the framework that form the cornerstones of accelerated learning are discussed in some detail. Research limitations/implications The framework facilitates an examination of successes and shortfalls in the case study collaboration and generates a deeper understanding of critical elements for progressing the SCM learning agenda, and expanding SCM education. As with all qualitative research, the results may not be generalisable; testing the relevance and usefulness of the framework with the field will be an important next step. Practical implications As the framework identifies conditions, characteristics and capacities of organisations and individuals that support the acceleration of SCM learning, it can provide assistance in designing future university–industry collaborations for advancing SCM learning. Originality/value The framework identifies critical success factors for alliances and partnerships aimed at accelerating learning in an emerging body of knowledge such as SCM.


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