DESIGN THINKING AND USER EXPERIENCE IN MANUFACTURING MSMES: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW AND RESEARCH GAP ANALYSIS

Meraj Alam  Idrisi; Ranganath M. Singari

doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i10s.2026.8096

Authors

Meraj Alam Idrisi Department of Design, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India
Ranganath M. Singari Department of Design, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i10s.2026.8096

Keywords:

Design Thinking, User Experience, MSMEs, Manufacturing, Innovation Framework, India, Human-Centred Design, Systematic Literature Review

Abstract [English]

Design Thinking (DT) and User Experience (UX) are poised to create a transformative opportunity for the manufacturing sector in the context of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India. Although MSMEs account for more than 94% of the industrial units in India with an estimated share of about 40% in Indian industrial output, they are very limited in their use of human-centred design methodologies. This paper aims to carry out a systematic literature review (SLR) on the existing literature across the fields of Design Thinking, UX methodologies, and innovation frameworks with regards to small and medium manufacturing enterprises (SMEs). This review, based on the published literature found in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar database (2010-2024), critically examines the state of knowledge, key theories, and important research gaps. The study shows that although DT is being used in technology and service industries, there is still limited research and literature available that applies Design Thinking in resource-challenged manufacturing MSMEs, especially in India. Likewise, the tenets of UX - which are most often seen in digital products - have not been applied to a manufacturing setting as often. According to the paper, there is a gap in the literature that is a lack of an integrated framework bringing DT and UX together which is specifically applicable to Indian manufacturing MSMEs. The general foundation and rationale for the development of such a framework is given in this gap analysis, which forms the main contribution of the larger doctoral research programme. Academic, practitioner and policy implications are discussed.

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