In this paper we explore how knowledge brokers - specialised design and engineering companies offering services to clients in diverse industries - use analogies for product development. Our research is based on interviews with project leaders of 13 knowledge brokering companies. The interviews...

Manufacturers usually benefit by dividing their innovation processes into distinct phases inorder to ensure that the development activities are performed efficiently in an appropriatesequence [1]. Users usually do not apply such structured processes. They follow a moreintuition-driven approach....

Analogies can trigger breakthrough ideas in new product development. Numerous examples demonstratethat substantial innovations often result from transferring problem solutions from one industry ordomain to another. For instance, the designers of the new running shoe generation of Nike,...