An exploratory model for understanding culture in student design team idea generation

This paper explores the relationship between measures within Hofstede's cultural framework and performance in concept design by setting out a methodology for evaluating the conceptual design output of student design teams from a cultural perspective. Economic globalization has meant that the management of global teams has become of strategic importance in product development. Cultural diversity is a key factor in such teams, and this work seeks to better understand the effect this can have on two key aspects of the concept design process: concept generation and concept selection. Three different measures were utilized in the analysis of a design study: aggregate cultural values, calculated individual cultural values and personality traits. The effectiveness of these is reviewed, and a methodology presented that provides a basis for more tangible consideration of how culture impacts upon active concept design teams.