Abstract
The paper describes how creative processes were applied to developing a new product range, to enhance performance, streamline production, reduce costs and open up new markets for body armour solutions. It describes how a company with a proven track record in manufacturing, had lost market share during the first Gulf war due to supply chain issues and had found it difficult to regain share, as the market place had shifted in terms of design. The paper details internal and external challenges in bringing creative processes to the company, to enhance personal protection, improve performance and deliver on aesthetics. Social contexts and physiological issues brought additional challenges. From a business operations perspective, valuing and solving design problems had to be cost effective to manufacture using existing technology. The paper outlines how an academic in fashion and textiles used anthropometrics to research and develop creative solutions for soft body armour. The innovative, new products are now used by security forces globally.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Atkinson, D.: Supply Chains: Collaborate to Innovate. In: Jolly, A. (ed.) Innovation; Harnessing Creativity for Business Growth, Kogan Page, London (2003)
Cohen, W., Levinthal, D., Damiel, A.: Absorptive Capacity: A New Perspective on Learning and Innovation. ASQ 35, 128–152 (1990), faculty.babson.edu/krollag/org_site/org.../cohen_abcap.htm (last accessed January 10, 2012)
Cooper, R., Press, M.: The Design Agenda; A guide to Successful Design Management. John Wiley & Sons, UK (2000)
Coulter, J., Davison, G., McCLean, C., Carmody, O.: ‘What if?’ Research and Innovation by Design. In: Proceedings of the Senior Staff Conference, University of Ulster (2009)
Coulter, J., Archer, E.: “What if?’ Research and Innovation by Design. In: Proceedings of the Senior Staff Conference, University of Ulster (2009)
Daanen, H.A.M., Reffeltrath, P.A., Koerhuis, C.L.: Ergonomics of Protective Clothing. In: Jayaraman, S., et al. (eds.) The Netherlands in Intelligent Textiles for Personal Protection and Safety. IOS Press, Amsterdam (2000)
Deans, G., Kansal, C., Mehltretter, S.: Making a Key Decision in a Downturn: Go on the Offensive or be Defensive?. Ivey Business Journal Online (January/February 2009)
Dent, E.B., Galloway Goldberg, S.: Challenging “Resistance to Change”. Journal of Applied Behavioural Science 35, 25 (1999), doi:10.1177/0021886399351003
Esslinger, H.: A fine Line: How business strategies are shaping the future of business. John Wiley & Sons, San Francisco (2009)
Estrin, J.: Closing the Innovation Gap: Reigniting the Spark of Creativity in a Global Economy. Mc-Graw Hill (2009)
Fraser, H.: Design Business: New Models for Success. In: Lockwood, T. (ed.) Design Thinking. Allworth Press (2010)
Geroski, P.A., Gregg, P.: Corporate Restructuring in the UK during the Recession. Business Strategy Review 5(2), 1–19 (1994)
Geroski, P.A., Gregg, P.: Coping with Recession. UK Company Performance in. Adversity. University Press, Cambridge (1997)
Gopinathan, P.M., Pichan, G., Sharma, V.M.: Role of dehydration in heat stress-induced variations in mental performance. Arch. Environ. Health 43, 15–17 (1988)
Grant, R.M.: Prospering in dynamically competitive environments, Organisational capability as knowledge integration. Organisation Science 7(4), 375–387 (1996)
Grant, R., Baden-Fuller, C.: A knowledge-based theory of inter-firm collaboration. Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings, 17–21 (1995)
Hartman, N.: Sure ways to tackle uncertainty in tough times. Financial Times, Managing in a Downturn Series (February 5, 2009), http://www.ft.com/reports/managingdownturn (last accessed December 15, 2011)
Jayaraman, S., Kiekens, P., Grancaric, A.M.: Heat Strain and Fit, TNO Defense, Security & Safety. In: Jayaraman, S., et al. (eds.) The Netherlands in Intelligent Textiles for Personal Protection and Safety. IOS Press, Amsterdam (2006)
Jenkins, J.: Creating the right environment for Design. In: Lockwood, T. (ed.) Design Thinking. Allworth Press (2010)
Johnston, R.E.: The power of Strategy Innovation; A new way of linking creativity and strategic planning to discover great business opportunities. Amacom (2003)
Jolly, A.: Innovation: Harnessing Creativity for Business Growth. Kogan Page, London (2003)
Kelley, T., Littman, J.: The Ten Faces of Innovation; Strategies for heightening Creativity. Profile Books (2004)
Kitching, J., Blackburn, R., Smallbone, D., Dixon, S.: Business Strategies and Performance during difficult economic times. Department of Business Innovation and Skills. Small Business Research Centre, Kingston University (2009) (January 04, 2010)
Kotter, J.P.: Leading Change: Why Transformation efforts fail. Harvard Business Review 73(2), 59–67 (1995)
Leifer, R., McDermott, C.M., Colarelli O’Connor, G., Peters, L.S., Rice, M.P., Veryzer, R.W.: Radical Innovation: How Mature Companies Can Outsmart Upstarts. Harvard Business School Press, Boston (2000)
Lewin, K.: Frontiers in Group Dynamics. I. Concept method and reality in social sciences: social equilibria and social change. Human Relations 1, 5–41 (1947)
Lieberman, H.R.: Hydration and Cognition: A Critical Review and Recommendations for Future Research. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 26(suppl. 5), 555S–561S (2007)
Lorange, P.: Optimists have a bright future. Financial Times. Managing in a Downturn Series (January 29, 2009), http://www.ft.com/reports/managingdownturn (last accessed December 14, 2011)
McDermott, C.M., Colorelli O’Connor, C.: Managing radical innovation: an overview of emergent strategy issues. Journal of Product Innovation Management 19(6), 424–438 (2002)
Mellis, W.: Partnering with Customers. In: Jolly, A. (ed.) Innovation; Harnessing Creativity for Business Growth. Kogan Page, London (2003)
Olins, W.: The Wolff Olins guide to corporate identity. The Design Council, London 12 (1990)
Parasuraman, D., Grewal, D.: The impact of technology on the Quality-Value-Loyalty-Chain, A research Agenda. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 28(1), 168–174 (2009)
Press, M., Cooper, R.: The Design Experience, The Role of Design and Designers in the Twenty First Century. Ashgate Publishing Limited, Hampshire (2005)
Rixon, D.: Strategic Commitment- The Foundation Stone for Innovation. In: Jolly, A. (ed.) Innovation; Harnessing Creativity for Business Growth. Kogan Page, London (2003)
Thakara, J.: Winners! How today’s successful Companies innovate by Design. Gower, London (1997)
Rhodes, D., Slater, D.: Seize Advantage in a Downturn. Harvard Business Review 87(2), 50–58 (2009)
Vinding, A.L.: Human Resources; Absorptive Capacity and Innovative Performance. Research on Technological Innovation and Management Policy 8, 155–178 (2004)
Von Stamm, B.: Managing Innovation, Design and Creativity, 2nd edn. John Wiley and Sons Ltd., Chichester (2008)
http://www.ppss-group.com/blog/when-will-ambulance-staff-and-paramedics-be-issued-withbodyarmour/ (last accessed December 15, 2011)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7088341.stm (last accessed December 15, 2011)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Coulter, J. (2013). Embedding Creative Processes in the Development of Soft Body Armour: Physiological, Aesthetic, Functionality and Strategic Challenges. In: Howlett, R., Gabrys, B., Musial-Gabrys, K., Roach, J. (eds) Innovation through Knowledge Transfer 2012. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, vol 18. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-34219-6_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-34219-6_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-34218-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-34219-6
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)