Industrial design in Turkiye’s medical device industry: Innovation networks in practice

Abstract

Purpose of the Study: This study investigates the role of industrial design in Türkiye’s medical device sector through the lens of innovation network models. It aims to understand how design is integrated into product development, identify key stakeholders, and evaluate how innovation networks support or hinder design-driven innovation. Methodology: A qualitative, exploratory approach was employed, combining a comprehensive literature review with empirical fieldwork. Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews with 57 firms and stakeholders across four major Turkish medical device clusters. Additional analysis of patent records, design awards, and procurement databases complemented the study. A network-based innovation model—specifically the fifth-generation framework—was adopted. Originality/Relevance: Despite the strategic importance of the medical technology sector, industrial design's role in Türkiye’s production ecosystem remains under-researched. This study bridges a theoretical gap by integrating industrial design and innovation network perspectives in the context of an emerging economy, offering fresh insights into SME collaboration dynamics and design maturity. Key Findings: Industrial design is often outsourced and handled by engineering departments. Interdisciplinary collaboration is limited, and SMEs face challenges in commercializing design-led innovations due to financial, structural, and regulatory barriers. Design remains peripheral to core innovation strategies. Theoretical/Methodological Contributions: The study advances the literature by applying the fifth-generation innovation model to industrial design ecosystems, highlighting the need for structural integration and collaborative design practices. Social/Managerial Contributions: The study recommends policy incentives, education reforms, and network-based models to enhance design integration, advocating for inclusive, user-centred innovation in healthcare technology. © 2025, Universidade Nove de Julho-UNINOVE. All rights reserved.