Design thinking for innovation: context factors, process, and outcomes

Abstract

PurposeDesign thinking has become an omnipresent process to foster innovativeness in various fields. Due to its popularity in both practice and theory, the number of publications has been growing rapidly. The authors aim to develop a research framework that reflects the current state of research and allows for the identification of research gaps.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conduct a systematic literature review based on 164 scholarly articles on design thinking.FindingsThis study proposes a framework, which identifies individual and organizational context factors, the stages of a typical design thinking process with its underlying principles and tools, and the individual as well as organizational outcomes of a design thinking project.Originality/valueWhereas previous reviews focused on particular aspects of design thinking, such as its characteristics, the organizational culture as a context factor or its role on new product development, the authors provide a holistic overview of the current state of research.

Modeling User Experience in Delivery Applications Using the Design Thinking Method and System Usability Scale

“…By understanding customer needs, challenges, and preferences in the delivery process, applications can be designed to better suit the user experience. Design thinking involves creating prototypes that can be tested by users iteratively, factors that influence individuals and organizations, the stages comprising a standard design thinking process along with its fundamental principles and tools, and the resulting outcomes for both individuals and organizations involved in a design thinking project (Rösch et al, 2023). This allows app developers to get immediate feedback and make changes over time so that apps can be more precise and efficient.…”

Cultivating Design Thinking for Sustainable Business Transformation in a VUCA World: Insights from a German Case Study

“…The authors conducted field research on a company that aims to establish sustainable innovation in its markets amidst uncertainty and turbulence. In this research, the authors discovered important factors for utilizing Design Thinking for sustainable transformations; this is the research question of this paper: Management research is still missing "characteristics that have an influence on Design Thinking" [11]. In other words, research is still needed to identify factors that help Design Thinking "to unleash its full potential" [11].…”

“…In a small survey, Ardoin identified the five characteristics of Design Thinking to tackle sustainability issues: "Participatory and people-focused", "Inspires creativity", "Encourages diversity in thought and action", "Adopts a holistic, systems thinking mindset", and "Offers a streamlined, action-oriented process" [9]; see Figure 1. Scholars acknowledge that Design Thinking not only provides value for product innovation but also for sustainable strategic and organizational business transformation [11,23]. Hence, Design Thinking is further scientifically developed into new concepts such as Hybrid Design Thinking, where Design Thinking is expanded by ideas from systems thinking, organizational learning, and action research [8].…”

“…Hence, Design Thinking is further scientifically developed into new concepts such as Hybrid Design Thinking, where Design Thinking is expanded by ideas from systems thinking, organizational learning, and action research [8]. This also helps in considering the interdependencies of ecological and social systems in the process of describing prob- Scholars acknowledge that Design Thinking not only provides value for product innovation but also for sustainable strategic and organizational business transformation [11,23]. Hence, Design Thinking is further scientifically developed into new concepts such as Hybrid Design Thinking, where Design Thinking is expanded by ideas from systems thinking, organizational learning, and action research [8].…”

Double diamond approach helping multidisciplinary health research team to mitigate infrastructure limitations

“…(Gero andKannengiesser 2004, Muddada 2014) Some approaches are less linear and more adaptable, offering flexibility and an interdisciplinary approach. For example: Design Thinking and Double Diamond Method (Design 2007, Ball 2019, Gustafsson 2019, Rösch et al 2023. On the other hand, methodologies like Axiomatic Design Theory (ADT) (Suh 2010) and Systematic Design Procedure (SDP) (Pahl et al 2007, Dai 2019) are notable for their analytical, linear and structured nature (Mansoori andLackéus, 2020, Nakata, 2020).…”