Design thinking as an approach to develop innovation capabilities

Purpose and goal

The project has addressed the needs of organizations to lead and organize for innovation, and has investigated the knowledge area Design Thinking (DT) as an approach to increase organizational conditions for innovation, and to strengthen the participating organizations´ ability to lead and organize for innovation. The project included an action research study (in itself set up a DT process) and an international case study. The project has contributed academic knowledge about the interplay between the use of DT and the development of innovation capability.

Expected results and effects

The project has contributed academic knowledge about the interplay between the use of DT and the development of innovation capability, and practical approaches and tools have been developed and tested. Participating organizations have gained access to experience gained in international companies and learned new ways of working with innovation. Inter-organizational learning and feedback have been achieved through project-wide activities. The project´s constellation and network have opened up for the dissemination of knowledge to other organizations.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was organized into two sub-studies: a longitudinal action research study (A) (in itself designed as a DT process) and an international study to get inspiration from international companies (B). During sub-study A, three partner companies participated in recurring workshops for co-creation with design tools, joint reflection and mutual feedback. Between the activities, the researchers collaborated with each organization and developed / tested tools based on their needs. The design approach to research was analyzed and documented.