Knowledge systematisation and the development of a business function: the case of design

Beatrice D’Ippolito, Marcela Miozzo, Davide Consoli
Drawing on evidence on the home furnishing sectors in Italy during the XX century, the aim is to understand the instituted processes that facilitated the translation of design know-how from being project-specific to becoming relevant to broader remits. The paper contributes to the debate on industry evolution by incorporating the institutional dimension to the organisational  and technological changes taking place at both firm and industry level.