5. A Model of Codesign Relationships: Definitions and Contingencies. A Review and Outlook

The original paper investigated, with a case study method, the different forms of co-design, i.e. the joint development of products and processes by customer and supplier. Four types of co-design are identified, according to the type of knowledge transferred (product or process) and the degree of interaction between the parties (loose or tight). Results show that the success of co-design depends on the fit between the type of relationship adopted and two contextual factors: the uncertainty of the design endeavour and the relational capabilities. The commentary highlights the original contribution at the time, in terms of both theoretical and methodological approach: the paper proposes a situational approach, showing the need to adapt the type of co-design to the context, and adopts a qualitative method, investigating four co-design projects within the same buying company. Research in this field has been rich in the subsequent years and this paper can be seen as a precursor of the relevance of the relational environment and the eco-system concept, widely adopted today to analyse innovation and product development.