Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between collaborative design practices and financial performance in small design companies in the Colombian Caribbean region. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from thirty-two firms across various design subsectors through multiple instruments: standardized questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, direct observation protocols, and financial documentation analysis. On-site assessments were conducted over six months, incorporating three visits per company to evaluate collaborative practices through a forty-seven-point matrix covering seven dimensions of collaboration. The research employed multiple statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and One-Way ANOVA (analysis of variance), to examine the impact of collaborative practices on revenue growth rates. Results consistently demonstrated a strong positive relationship (r = 0.783, p < 0.001) between the adoption of collaborative design practices and firm performance. Companies with higher levels of collaborative practice adoption experienced significantly higher revenue growth, with each point increase in collaborative practice scores associated with a 3.892 percentage-point increase in revenue growth rate. Analysis of specific practices revealed that firms achieving optimal performance maintained quarterly co-design workshops, implemented systematic user testing protocols, and integrated cross-functional teams in over 65% of projects. These findings have implications for multiple stakeholders: practitioners seeking to enhance competitiveness through structured collaboration, policymakers developing support programs for creative industries, educational institutions designing design management curricula, and investment entities evaluating design-driven enterprises in emerging markets. The research contributes to understanding how collaborative design can drive economic growth in developing markets while providing practical frameworks for implementing effective collaborative practices in resource-constrained environments.