تحديات البيئة شبه المناوئة لتصميم المنتج في السودان : المعوقات و الفرص في القطاع الصناعي الرسمي

Abstract EN

This paper aims to investigate the semi-hostile environment that precludes product design activities from contributing successfully to the formal industrial sector in less industrialized economies in general and Sudan in particular.

It, specifically, aims to define the factors that constrain the product design process from being fully practiced in industrial,research and non-governmental sectors in Khartoum State.

Hypotheses were developed after extensive literature review.

Preassessed survey besides unstructured interviews is utilized to collect data from a purposive sample in order to test the hypotheses.

The study population constituted employees whom their work is directly or indirectly related to product design activities.

Following a descriptive/analytical methodology, data was collected, described, analyzed and tested through several statistical methods and techniques.

Accordingly, the main hypothesis (that the product design process is hindered by several constraints related to finance, administration, and the environment) is, statistically, proven true.

Main results and findings show less hostility of financial constraints compared to administrative and environmental ones.

Main recommendations call, both public and private bodies, for supporting better product design education and better professional training.

It also urges the government to eliminate the semi-hostile conditions that work against design in general.