Exploring Circular Design Service: Introduction and Implementation within Taiwan’s Traditional Manufacturing Industry探索循環設計服務：以臺灣傳統製造業之導入與實踐為場域

ABSTRACT

This thesis explores the opportunities and challenges outsourced design service providers face in assisting the circular transition of Taiwan’s traditional manufacturing industry. The literature has demonstrated that design is key to achieving a circular economy. For Taiwan traditional manufacturers, there is an urgent need for circular transition and significant demand for design services.

To understand this opportunity, this thesis first reviews relevant literature to propose an ideal circular design service process, serving as a strategic framework for implementing circular design services. Utilizing qualitative research methods, the research includes expert interviews to understand the broader industry context, a case study involving participatory observation and in-depth interviews for real perspectives, and a questionnaire survey of manufacturing managers to clarify findings. This breadth of research provides detailed contexts of the challenges in traditional manufacturers’ cooperation with circular design service on circular transition.

This thesis found that Taiwan traditional manufacturers (a) have limited understanding of both circular economy and design services, (b) lack stakeholder involvement during　circular design projects, and (c) are hesitant to undergo business model change. Lastly, integration of the research findings through service blueprints revealed that these root issues could be addressed with design service communication. With the concluding action plan, circular design service providers can efficiently involve into Taiwan traditional manufacturer’s circular transition, thereby enhancing the impact of the design service industry in Taiwan’s circular economy.

Keywords: design service, circular design, circular design service, circular transition, Taiwan traditional manufacturing industry, service process

摘要

本研究探討了循環設計服務在協助臺灣傳統製造業的循環轉型上的機會與挑戰。近年來文獻指出設計是循環經濟轉型中的關鍵，儘管臺灣企業對於設計服務協助企業創新的態度趨於保守，不過總體來說設計服務的需求顯著，且傳統製造業的循環轉型迫在眉睫。

為了瞭解循環設計服務與臺灣傳統產業的合作機會，本研究首先透過過去文獻，整理並提出理想的循環設計服務流程來做為實施循環設計服務的策略框架；並通過質性研究方法，從專家訪談了解大的產業情況，而後進行單一案例研究的參與式觀察及訪談，再透過個案情況透過問卷調查釐清。逐步了解現階段臺灣傳統製造業導入循環設計的真實情況。

本研究結果發現臺灣傳統製造業(1)對循環經濟與設計服務的理解有限、(2)專案期間缺乏利益關係者的參與，且(3) 對商業模式變革的猶豫。最後，透過服務藍圖對研究發現的統整，顯示了這些根本情況有機會因循環設計服務的溝通來改善。提出相應的行動計劃做為結論，使循環設計服務者更能夠參與臺灣傳統製造業的循環轉型，讓設計服務產業在臺灣的循環經濟中擴大其影響力。

關鍵詞：設計服務、循環設計、循環設計服務、循環轉型、臺灣傳統製造業、服務流程