The majority of the pieces incorporate the best qualities of fine Italian design, such as big, bold statements with a refinement in design and technique that attracts attention without being overpowering.

FORBES: Marina B Jewelry Returns

He likened the radio technology to responsive web design, a technique which enables web pages to automatically change shape and configuration depending on what type of device they are being read on, such as a smartphone or tablet.

BBC: shows off 'perceptive radio' that can alter scripts

After developing a hypothesis on which customer segment a product is focused on, a team can use a technique like contextual design to look at behavior patterns and latent needs.

FORBES: Getting The Most Out Of 'Getting Out Of The Building'

When one firm in a city comes up with a new technique, product or design, nearby firms may quickly build on it or hire its creator.

ECONOMIST: Free exchange

Izhar Gafni, from Israel, spent 18 months just folding the material every-which-way in order to discover a strong enough design, and now he claims his technique is almost ready for mass production.

ENGADGET: Cardboard bicycle 'close to mass production': tough, green and just $20

In a paper soon to be published in the Journal of Applied Physics, he describes how he and his student, Eric Wu, are employing the technique to help with the design of receivers for mobile telephones.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR

"They may take advantage of U.S. branding, of U.S. management and technique, or U.S. design knowledge, " Spulber says.

FORBES: Outsourcing--To America