Using the Multi-process Analysis Method to Study Innovation of Everyday Items: The Lei- sure Bicycle

Abstract

Innovation is critical to an industry’s survival. Companies seek to provide consumers with innovative products or services. Numerous methods are employed in pursuit of industrial innovations; however, most of these methods are focused on creating innovative new products and not on innovating familiar, everyday items. In recent years, recrea- tional services have become an integral aspect of the service industry; therefore, the innovation of quotidian recrea- tional items should be addressed. A multi-process analysis method (MPAM) was adopted in this study to explore the characteristics of function, style, and efficiency and apply them in innovation a leisure bicycle. The study investi- gated consumers’ needs and expectations regarding the innovation of leisure bicycles. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data, and the MPAM was used to summarize and extract the critical characteristics for innova- tion. University students in the Tainan area were used as the survey population. The research revealed that the char- acteristics that young people favor in a leisure bicycle are security, quality, lightness, convenience, multiple, uniqueness, and technical digit. These characteristics can be used to provide a reference for Taiwanese leisure bicy- cle manufacturers to develop a product that satisfies consumers’ innovation demands.