Design management as a domain of smart and sustainable enterprise: business modelling for innovation and smart growth in Industry 4.0

The prior research has scrutinised the extent and scope of design integration for smart production and services innovation and value generation for smart society including enterprises, customers and end-users in the context of Industry 4.0. A conceptual approach has been proposed for practical business applications in developing and exploiting new innovative products or services. The present paper underpins the earlier research in methodological terms and is an affiliated research endeavour. The research traces successful performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the context of Industry 4.0 in correlation with design as a source, resource and strategic tool for value generation and its capitalisation on the market. Building upon the integrated design as a tool and process for innovation capacity in the current industrial development paradigm, the present paper contributes to the previously anticipated research objective to reveal how design integration and design management manifest within small business practices and to what extent creates value. The key research focus is placed here on the strategic business orientation – business modelling and value creation for SMEs driven by impact factors from design, innovation management and strategic management field in the context of entrepreneurship. The present research is a result of qualitative research activity based on the case study methodological approach. Empirical data suggest how small enterprises within the Industry 4.0 domain can accelerate their growth targets and become more innovative, innovation being the move towards sustainable competitiveness and smart growth.