Tech to Organization. Assessing and designing technology adoption with design thinking
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23726/cij.2023.1478Keywords:
Innovation management, Technology management, Design thinking, New product developmentAbstract
This article explores how design thinking can be tailored to address projects that focus on assessing the value of technology adoption within an organization and designing an appropriate application. We studied seven innovation projects conducted within a European Design Factory. We identified common patterns that define an adapted design thinking process called "Tech to Organization" to address such technology-driven project effectively. Results show how classic design thinking tools are adapted in such a process (e.g., technology abilities, technology problem-framing, technolgoy proof of value) and how the phases and milestones of the process change
References
Ahrens, T. and Chapman, C.S., 2006, Doing qualitative field research in management accounting: Positioning data to contribute to theory, Accounting, organizations and society, 31(8): 819–841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aos.2006.03.007
Apostolov, M. and Coco, N., 2021, Digitalization-based innovation—A case study framework, International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 18(05). https://doi.org/10.1142/S021987702050025X
Auernhammer, J. and Roth, B., 2021, The origin and evolution of Stanford University’s design thinking: From product design to design thinking in innovation management, Journal of Product Innovation Management, 38(6): 623–644. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12594
Auernhammer, J. and Roth, B., 2023, What Is Design Thinking? In: Design Thinking Research: Innovation– Insight–Then and Now (pp. 169-–196), Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Balboni, B., Dosi, C., Marchini, S., Mincolelli, G. and Vignoli, M., 2021, N2T ‘Need to Tech discovery’ tool: enabling interaction with scientists in CBI students’ projects, CERN IdeaSquare Journal of Experimental Innovation, 5(1): 22–31. https://doi.org/10.23726/cij.2021.1289
Beckman, S.L. and Barry, M., 2007, Innovation as a Learning Process: Embedding Design Thinking, California Management Review, 50(1): 25–56. https://doi.org/10.2307/41166415
Beverland, M.B., Wilner, S.J. and Micheli, P., 2015, Reconciling the tension between consistency and relevance: Design thinking as a mechanism for brand ambidexterity, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(5): 589–609. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747- 015-0443-8
Brown, T., 2008, Design thinking, Harvard Business Review, 86(6): 84–92. https://hbr.org/2008/06/design-thinking Brown, T., 2009, Change by design: How design thinking transforms organizations and inspires innovation, New York: Harper-Collins
Carlgren, L., Rauth, I. and Elmquist, M., 2016, Framing design thinking: The concept in idea and enactment, Creativity and Innovation Management, 25(1): 38–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12153
Cocchi, N., 2023, Motivating students to attend open innovation initiatives. A motivational structure perspective, CERN IdeaSquare Journal of Experimental Innovation, 7(2): 33–50. https://doi.org/10.23726/cij.2023.1451
Cocchi, N., Dosi, C. and Vignoli, M., 2021, The Hybrid Model Matrix. Enhancing Stage-Gate with Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and Agile, Research-Technology Management, 64(5): 18–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/08956308.2021.1942645
Cocchi, N., Dosi, C. and Vignoli, M., 2023a, Tech to Market. Finding and designing suitable technology applications with design thinking, Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED23), Bordeaux, France, 24–28 July 2023. https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2023.332
Cocchi, N., Dosi, C. and Vignoli, M., 2023b, Stage-Gate hybridization beyond Agile. Conceptual review, synthesis, and research agenda, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2023.3282269
Coco, N., Calcagno, M. and Lusiani, M., 2020, Struggles as triggers in a design‐thinking journey, Creativity and Innovation Management, 29: 103–115. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12384
Coco, N., Colapinto, C. and Finotto, V., 2023, Fostering digital literacy among small and micro‐enterprises: digital transformation as an open and guided innovation process. R&D Management, https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12645
Dalsgaard, P., 2014, Pragmatism and Design Thinking, International Journal of Design, 8(1): 143–155. Available at: https://www.ijdesign.org/index.php/IJDesign/article/vie w/1087
Dalton, J. and Kahute, T., 2016, Why empathy and customer closeness is crucial for design thinking, Design Management Review, 27(2): 20–27. https://doi.org/10.1111/drev.12004
Dell’Era, C., Altuna, N., Magistretti, S. and Verganti, R., 2017, Discovering quiescent meanings in technologies: exploring the design management practices that support the development of Technology Epiphanies, Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 29(2): 149–166. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2016.1210785
Dell'Era, C., Magistretti, S., Cautela, C., Verganti, R. and Zurlo, F., 2020, Four kinds of design thinking: From ideating to making, engaging, and criticizing, Creativity and Innovation Management, 29(2): 324–344. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12353
Dosi, C., Cocchi, N. and Vignoli, M., 2021, TEN Transform Emergency Now! - Facing COVID 19 with Open and Frugal Innovation, Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED21), Gothenburg, Sweden, 16–20 August 2021, Vol. 1, pp. 2971–2980. https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2021.558
Dosi, C., Mattarelli, E. and Vignoli, M., 2020, Prototypes as identity markers: The double‐edged role of prototypes in multidisciplinary innovation teams, Creativity and Innovation Management, 29(4): 648–666. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12410
Duncker, K., 1945, On problem-solving, Psychological Monographs, 58(5). https://doi.org/10.1037/h0093599
Iansiti, M., 1995, Technology integration: Managing technological evolution in a complex environment, Research policy, 24(4): 521–542. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(94)00781-0
Jick, T.D., 1979, Mixing qualitative and quantitative methods: Triangulation in action, Administrative Science Quarterly, 24(4): pp. 602–611. https://doi.org/10.2307/2392366
Karlsson, C., Taylor, M. and Taylor, A., 2010, Integrating new technology in established organizations: A mapping of integration mechanisms, International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 30(7): 672–699. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443571011057290
Kim, E., et al., 2020, User-centered design roadmapping: anchoring roadmapping in customer value before technology selection, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 69(1): 109–126. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2020.3030172
Kumar, V., 2012, 101 Design Methods: A Structured Approach for Driving Innovation in Your Organization, Wiley, New Jersey, United States.
Liedtka, J., 2015, Perspective: Linking design thinking with innovation outcomes through cognitive bias reduction, Journal of Product Innovation Management, 32(6): 925–938. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12163
Liedtka, J., 2020, Putting technology in its place: Design thinking’s social technology at work, California Management Review, 62(2): 53–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/0008125619897391
Magistretti, S., Bianchi, M., Calabretta, G., Candi, M., Dell’Era, C., Stigliani, I. and Verganti, R., 2022, Framing the multifaceted nature of design thinking in addressing different innovation purposes, Long Range Planning, 55(5): 102163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2021.102163
Magistretti, S., Dell'Era, C. and Verganti, R., 2020, Searching for the right application: A technology development review and research agenda, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 151, 119879: 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119879
Mahmoud-Jouini, S.B., Fixson, S.K. and Boulet, D., 2019, Making design thinking work: Adapting an innovation approach to fit a large technology-driven firm, Research- Technology Management, 62(5): 50–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/08956308.2019.1638485
Martin, R.L., 2010, Design thinking: achieving insights via the “knowledge funnel", Strategy & Leadership, 38(2): 37–41. https://doi.org/10.1108/10878571011029046
McCullagh, K., 2013, Stepping up: Beyond design thinking, Design Management Review, 24(2): 32–34. https://doi.org/10.1111/drev.10238
Menold, J., Simpson, T.W. and Jablokow, K.W., 2016, The Prototype for X (PFX) framework: assessing the impact of PFX on desirability, feasibility, and viability of end Designs. In: International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, Vol. 50190, p. V007T06A040. https://doi.org/10.1115/DETC2016-60225
Micheli, P., Wilner, S.J., Bhatti, S.H., Mura, M. and Beverland, M.B., 2019, Doing design thinking: Conceptual review, synthesis, and research agenda, Journal of Product Innovation Management, 36(2): 124– 148. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12466
Mincolelli, G., Cocchi, N., Dosi, C. and Vignoli, M., 2020, “OPER.TEN” Transform Emergency Now! - facing Covid-19 with Open Innovation and Human Centered Design, Strategic Design Research Journal, 13(3): 658– 668. https://doi.org/10.4013/sdrj.2020.133.28
Parente, S.L. and Prescott, E.C., 1994, Barriers to technology adoption and development, Journal of political Economy, 102(2): 298–321. https://doi.org/10.1086/261933
Seidel, V.P. and Fixson, S.K., 2013, Adopting design thinking in novice multidisciplinary teams: The application and limits of design methods and reflexive practices, Journal of Product Innovation Management, 30: 19–33. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12061
Siggelkow, N., 2007, Persuasion with case studies, Academy of Management Journal, 50(1): 20–24. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2007.24160882
Stickdorn, M. and Schneider, J., 2010, This Is Service Design Thinking, Amsterdam: BIS Publishers.
Vignoli, M., Dosi, C. and Balboni, B., 2023, Design thinking mindset: scale development and validation, Studies in Higher Education, 48(6): 926–940. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2023.2172566
Yin, R.K., 2009, Case study research: Design and methods, Vol. 5, Sage.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Nicolò Cocchi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
