Knowledge identification and management in product design

Purpose The paper seeks to improve the understanding of knowledge identification and management in product design by studying designers' cognition and behavior. Design/methodology/approach Knowledge management becomes an essential process in product design. However, most organizations and designers do not understand what knowledge should and can be managed. Little research is focused on studying the cognitive and social psychological factors within knowledge activities. This paper is mainly focused on knowledge issues in product design. This study focuses on the internal human activities and explores knowledge management research utilizing a human factors perspective. Findings In this paper knowledge in product design is defined; knowledge in product design is identified and classified based on design decision‐making processes. Furthermore, how to improve the knowledge management process in collaborative decision making is presented. Research limitations/implications This study uses an experimental approach and hopefully the research can therefore be generalized to other situations. Practical implications This study provides guidelines for information technology support for knowledge management in product design. Originality/value Knowledge used in product design is identified and classified. The paper explores knowledge management research by analyzing human activity, in combination with the study of management and engineering technologies.