Issues of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) implementation have been extensively covered in the literature in regard to large companies; however, exclusive examination of the impact of AMT on small companies remains under researched. This examination of ten case study companies demonstrates the potential benefits of AMT use, as each of the companies achieved positive outcomes from AMT. However, the benefits achieved did not always meet the companies' expectations. Analysis of the experiences of the companies indicates the importance of considering the impact of AMT output on the manufacturing process, the levels of pre-existing AMT experience and the availability of external support mechanisms.

Technology management maps have been developed to evaluate new product development (NPD) within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These maps provide a graphical 'footprint' of a company in terms of knowledge, resources, quality, and innovation & change. A series of 15 case-study companies highlight that the shape and extent of the technology management maps correlate well with the overall impact of the NPD activities. Implementation of an effective NPD process is the main distinguishing factor between the best-and worst-performing companies. The inherent benefits of designled technology are also encapsulated, specifically in the areas of resource savings and improved product quality.

This paper presents the initial results of a wider research project that investigates how service design might positively contribute to the development of product-service systems within manufacturing small to medium sized enterprises. The paper presents the results of interviews with three firms that have begun to embrace service design. The analysis of these results is used to produce a conceptual framework with nine dimensions that aims to aid understanding of a company's potential readiness for servitization through service design.

Despite growing interest in user-centred design, there is limited discussion and critique of how to implement such an approach in a commercial design environment. This article examines the approach taken to gain knowledge of product use in order to evaluate a framework for user-research that draws on UCD theory through a number of commercial case studies. User-centric enquiry must fit into the design process where the aim is to create commercially viable output economically and efficiently, and where errors resulting from insufficient user consideration are mitigated costeffectively; something that is rarely discussed in literature. This paper documents a practicing design team's efforts to guide user-led design practice and product insight acquisition with the implementation of a model-driven, user-centred, approach across numerous commercial projects.

THE AIM OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO DESCRIBE A NOVEL MILITARY UNIQUE OPERATOR READINESS ASSESSMENT (ORA). THE ORA WAS DESIGNED BY TACTICAL HUMAN OPTIMIZATION, RAPID REHABILITATION, AND RECONDITIONING PROFESSIONALS AS PART OF A RETURN-TO-DUTY PROTOCOL TO SPECIFICALLY EVALUATE THE MUSCULOSKELETAL READINESS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PREPAREDNESS OF PREVIOUSLY INJURED OPERATORS. THE ORA COMPRISES 11 TACTICALLY RELEVANT AND PHYSICALLY TAXING EVENTS COMPLETED IN ORDER WITH A 2-MINUTE REST BETWEEN EVENTS. DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE RETURN-TO-DUTY PROTOCOL OF THIS NATURE IS A NECESSARY FIRST STEP FOR TACTICAL STRENGTH COACHES TO REDUCE RISK OF REINJURY TO PREVIOUSLY INJURED PERSONNEL.

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This paper discusses the meaning of social value from the design perspective, especially in Corporate Social Responsibility practices, and the contextual issues and values derived from design, considering how companies could better use design for social value creation. The research identified consumer attitudes to corporate social value and where companies are perceived to have generated social value, and explored where design has contributed to such social value. The research illustrates that design has great potential to add value to the triple bottom line, mostly related directly to organisations, but also to areas relating to society, including the 'lower levels of environmental degradation' and 'more solutions for social issues', indicating design plays an influential role in creating socially responsible products/services. However, this research suggests that a clear definition of 'social value' from various perspectives and its relationship with CSR is required due to the complex and subjective nature of 'social value'.

Demen a is a syndrome that encompasses a range of neurodegenera ve diseases that detrimentally aff ect percep on, communica on and memory (Hughes, 2014; Alzheimer's Research UK, 2016). Episodic and seman c memory is signifi cantly compromised, however, emo onal and procedural memories are o en retained into the later stages of the disease (Hughes, 2014; Zeisel, 2011). Previous research has iden fi ed that promo ng in the moment experience that engages the senses, par cularly tac le s mula on and hap c touch via the hands, is very benefi cial to wellbeing (Treadaway & Kenning, 2016; Treadaway, Prytherch & Kenning et al. 2016) Posi ve emo on has signifi cant health benefi ts and has been found to correlate with a reduc on in requirement for prescribed medica on and hospital admission (Huppert, Baylis, & Keverne, 2005). The LAUGH research project (www.laughproject.info) aims to understand be er how people with demen a experience posi ve emo ons and to create designs specifi cally to s mulate and support subjec ve wellbeing. It is partnered by leading chari es in the fi eld and informed by an expert group of advisors working in health and social care with relevant demen a experience. People living with demen a, their rela ves and carers are also par cipants in the research via project partner Gwalia Cyf and SE Wales Alzheimer's Society SURP members.