Assignment task: Read the case study below and answer the questions that follow.
Dyson Appliances Ltd. and its Approach to Innovation This case discusses the innovation principles and processes adopted by Dyson Appliances Limited (DAL), a market leader in the vacuum cleaner market. Experts felt that product design was a core competency at DAL and the innovative designs of its product had enabled it to command a premium price in a market that was previously known for price discounting.
According to analysts, DAL's constant focus on innovation had led to its cornering a market share of 32 percent and 46 percent in the US and UK vacuum cleaner markets in 2008. Analysts attributed the success of the company to the innovation principles and processes institutionalised by DAL's founder James Dyson (Dyson).
They felt that Dyson was the source of innovation at DAL. He is himself widely known as the inventor of the first bag less vacuum cleaner (DC01, DAL's first product) that took the vacuum cleaner market by storm in the early 1990s. Since then, he and his team had churned out innovative models of vacuum cleaners that had helped DAL gain a market leadership position. In addition to vacuum cleaners, its other products such as The Contrarotator (a washing machine) and Dyson Airblade (a hand dryer), were hailed by experts as being equally innovative. Analysts felt that DAL's deep-set culture of innovation gave it an edge over its competitors.
DAL approach to innovation drew inspiration from Thomas Alva Edison's (Edison) step-by-step approach where he made a single change to the prototype at a time in order to perfect his invention. Inspired by the thoughts of Edison, the engineering and design staff at DAL made a single change to the prototype that led to the launch of an innovative product. The case also discusses the integrated approach to design and development of new products adopted by engineers and design staff at the company, and how Dyson had fostered a culture of innovation at DAL.
Answer ALL questions below.
Question 1: The case above discusses design and innovation at Dyson Appliances Limited (DAL). As a purchasing manager, advice on the best way to source the relevant material required in the production of DAL's first vacuum cleaner.
Question 2: The case above discusses design and innovation at Dyson Appliances Limited (DAL).As a purchasing manager, analyse the various appropriate assessment criteria and provide advice on which you would follow for the Dyson Air blade.
Question 3: Organisations face an important decision in choosing how supplier performance is to be measured. Organisations must also determine what to measure. As the purchasing manager how would you measure the performance of your selected suppliers?
Question 4: Outsourcing is referred to as the process of transferring a business activity, including the relevant assets, to a third party. Outsourcing of manufacturing activities is always debatable. As the purchasing manager analyse the concept of outsourcing and advice on the most suitable option for Dysons in terms of outsourcing of their manufacturing.