Shiren Maru | University of Westminster (original) (raw)

Papers by Shiren Maru

Journal of Management in Engineering, Jan 1, 1998

This paper presents the results of a study of the ways in which project managers in the US engine... more This paper presents the results of a study of the ways in which project managers in the US engineering and construction industry attempt to obtain information about relevant innovations, and the ways in which industry firms attempt to facilitate their project manager's abilities to obtain such ...

Construction Management and Economics, Jan 1, 1994

The construction industry is relatively slow in developing and adopting new technologies and usua... more The construction industry is relatively slow in developing and adopting new technologies and usually prefers conservative, well-known practices over innovative construction methods. The paper discussus the logic and reasons behind this behaviour, while pointing to special circumstances in recent history when the balance between risk and benefits tilted towards the benefits, providing the opportunity for innovation to flourish. Such a

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Jan 1, 2010

Purpose – The UK Government's housing agenda, coupled with the current market conditions, has... more Purpose – The UK Government's housing agenda, coupled with the current market conditions, has provided the housebuilding industry with a challenge to build more new homes while improving business efficiency to survive. Although innovation has been claimed as the key to meeting the challenge, the level of its usage has been reported low. This paper aims to reveal an insight

Journal of Construction Engineering and Management-asce, Jan 1, 1997

Construction technology innovation is becoming an increasingly important factor for the growth of... more Construction technology innovation is becoming an increasingly important factor for the growth of many large Japanese firms. It has become essential that new construction technologies be identified, obtained on the most reasonable terms, and transferred smoothly to the ...

R & D Management, Jan 1, 1990

Functional integration is a new trend in corporate organization. By changing the balance between ... more Functional integration is a new trend in corporate organization. By changing the balance between functional differentiation and integration, functional integration gives up some supposed economies of scale and benefits from division of labour in order to increase the degree of interaction and task-sharing between diverse functions. The aim is to achieve faster response to threats and opportunities in the persistent turbulent business environment of today. The exact location of the new functional boundaries and inter dependencies differs from industry to industry; in some cases external integration, say with customers or suppliers, may be justifiable. Advantage can be taken from new forms of organization such as flatter hierarchies, the building of interfunctional teams, and the adoption of new design and manufacturing control technologies.The paper gives examples of functional integration and discusses implications and problems generated by its adoption. Some of the implications may eventually induce radical rethinks on a whole range of presuppositions about corporate structure, relationships between the firm and its suppliers and customers, the role of management, industrial relations and the socio-cultural impact of increasing reliance on automated information systems.

... Roberto Viganò, Mechanical Department, Politecnico di Milano, Italy ... In spite of this, we ... more ... Roberto Viganò, Mechanical Department, Politecnico di Milano, Italy ... In spite of this, we need to remember that some methods to support the creative ideas generation, such as "brainstorming" (Osborn, 1953) or "lateral thinking" (De Bono, 1993), while not being a structured ...

Software and System Modeling, Jan 1, 2010

Long Range Planning, Jan 1, 2005

For producers of traditional or high-tech consumer durables seeking to differentiate themselves f... more For producers of traditional or high-tech consumer durables seeking to differentiate themselves from their competitors, the role of the product designer is increasingly taking a key role. In fact design and designers can contribute to corporate strategic renewal, and this paper proposes a framework for understanding how this can be achieved. Building on a study of outstanding innovators in product design – names such as Apple, Alessi and Bang & Olufsen – the authors describe design-driven renewal as a four-phase process stimulated and supported by design, combining continuous product innovation with the periodic revision of the strategic course of the company. For each phase, it discusses the specific role of managers and the most common pitfalls that arise from poor management of the process.

Journal of Product Innovation Management, Jan 1, 2005

The relationship between design and marketing is an uneasy one. Managing this tension is critical... more The relationship between design and marketing is an uneasy one. Managing this tension is critical for luxury marketers, whose point of differentiation is a combination of design excellence and market execution. This article explores the tensions between marketing and design and the integration of design into the brand management process in luxury wine firms. The results of the investigation describe five design-based values held by luxury winemakers: remaining true to craft, expressions of place, stylistic consistency, living up to the brand's heritage, and remaining current. Five methods of integrating design into the firm are identified. These are top leadership support and integration at the strategic level, simultaneous loose–tight coupling, being in the marketplace versus being of the marketplace, intergenerational teams, and deliberate decoupling. This last is a novel solution and involves designers walking a fine line between their commitment to their values and the ongoing evolution of the brand. Essentially, designers of luxury wine products downplay their scientific expertise, market knowledge, and responsiveness in favour of appealing to their five espoused values.

Research Policy, Jan 1, 1996

This paper's purpose is to make a first attempt at analysing the design function from a variety o... more This paper's purpose is to make a first attempt at analysing the design function from a variety of disciplinary perspectives: economic, sociological and management. It explores what design is, and compares it to R&D and technological innovation. It surveys the literature on technological innovation and considers its usefulness in understanding and analysing the design function. It then examines the organisation and location of design activities in relation to manufacturing firms, referring to empirical studies of a number of contrasting sectors of industry in various countries, as well as to an historical analysis of the evolution of the design function.