Deutsch
Bibtex
Cite as text
@Select Types{,
Journal = "Band-1",
Title= "Development of Absorptive Capacities through Design Thinking and Design Knowledge in SMEs",
Author= "Christoph Lattemann, Ricardo Guerrero, Beke Redlich, and Simon Fischer",
Doi= "https://doi.org/10.30844/wi_2020_d2-lattemann",
Abstract= "Research indicates that Design Thinking (DT) is a powerful agile innovation approach for large-scale enterprises to develop absorptive capacity (ACAP) through design knowledge. It is questionable, if this also holds true for SMEs because of their limited financial resources, time restrictions to perform DT, and lack of collaboration with external partners. This research shows how through the combination of either analogue DT, or complete virtual DT - (hybrid DT) -, SMEs are able to create and acquire design knowledge, and therefore, develop ACAP. To do so, we conducted a two-year experiment, where two SMEs continuously performed hybrid DT in their innovation projects. We interviewed participants of the DT workshops and asked about SMEs’ DT knowledge acquisition, adoption of routines, effect on SMEs’ ACAP, and their ability to acquire external knowledge. With this research we contribute to research in IS and organizational studies.
",
Keywords= "Design Thinking, Design Knowledge, Absorptive Capacity, Virtual Collaboration, Innovation Development",
}
Christoph Lattemann, Ricardo Guerrero, Beke Redlich, and Simon Fischer: Development of Absorptive Capacities through Design Thinking and Design Knowledge in SMEs. Online: https://doi.org/10.30844/wi_2020_d2-lattemann (Abgerufen 25.12.24)
Open Access
Abstract
Abstract
Research indicates that Design Thinking (DT) is a powerful agile innovation approach for large-scale enterprises to develop absorptive capacity (ACAP) through design knowledge. It is questionable, if this also holds true for SMEs because of their limited financial resources, time restrictions to perform DT, and lack of collaboration with external partners. This research shows how through the combination of either analogue DT, or complete virtual DT - (hybrid DT) -, SMEs are able to create and acquire design knowledge, and therefore, develop ACAP. To do so, we conducted a two-year experiment, where two SMEs continuously performed hybrid DT in their innovation projects. We interviewed participants of the DT workshops and asked about SMEs’ DT knowledge acquisition, adoption of routines, effect on SMEs’ ACAP, and their ability to acquire external knowledge. With this research we contribute to research in IS and organizational studies.
Keywords
Schlüsselwörter
Design Thinking, Design Knowledge, Absorptive Capacity, Virtual Collaboration, Innovation Development
References
Referenzen
1. Arora, A., Fosfuri, A., Gambardella, A.: Markets for Technology and their Implications for Corporate Strategy. Industrial and Corporate Change. 10, 419- 451 (2001).
2. Jansen, J.J.P., Van Den Bosch, F.A.J., Volberda, H.W.: Managing Potential and Realized Absorptive Capacity: How do Organizational Antecedents Matter?. Academy of Management Journal. 48, 999-1015 (2005).
3. Zahra, S.A., George, G.: Absorptive Capacity: A Review, Reconceptualization, and Extension. The Academy of Management Review. 27, 185-203 (2002).
4. Kamal, E.M., Flanagan, R.: Understanding Absorptive Capacity in Malaysian Small and Medium Sized (SME) Construction Companies. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology. 21, 1122-1127 (2012).
5. Freel, M.S.: Barriers to Product Innovation in Small Manufacturing Firms. International Small Business Journal. 18, 60-80 (2000).
6. Cohen, W.M., Levinthal, D.A.: Absorptive Capacity: A New Perspective on Learning and Innovation. Administrative Science Quarterly. 35, 128-152 (1990).
7. Lane, P.J., Koka, B.R., Pathak, S.: The Reification of Absorptive Capacity: A Critical Review and Rejuvenation of the Construct. The Academy of Management Review. 31, 833-863 (2006).
8. Roberts, N., Galluch, P.S., Dinger, M., Grover, V.: Absorptive Capacity and Information Systems Research: Review, Synthesis, and Directions for Future Research. MIS Quarterly. 36, 625-648 (2012).
9. Jonas, W., Chow, R.: Case Transfer: A Design Approach by Artifacts and Projection. Design Issues. 26, 9-19 (2010).
10. Acklin, C.: The Absorption of Design Management Capabilities in SMEs with Little or no Prior Design Experience. In: Proceedings of the Nordes 2011: Making Design Matter. , Helsinki, Finland (2011).
11. Acklin, C.: Design Management Absorption Model: A Framework to Describe and Measure the Absorption Process of Design Knowledge by SMEs with Little or no Prior Design Experience. Creativity and Innovation Management. 22, 147- 160 (2013).
12. Wetter-Edman, K., Malmberg, L.: Experience and Expertise: Key Issues for Developing Innovation Capabilities through Service Design. In: In Morelli, N., de Goetzen, A. & Grani, F. (Eds.), Service Design Geographies: Proceedings of the ServDes2016 Conference. Linkoeping: Linkoeping University Electronic Press. 516-521 (2016).
13. Malmberg, L.: Building Design Capability in the Public Sector : Expanding the Horizons of Development, (2017).
14. Cousins, B.: Validating a Design Thinking Strategy: Merging Design Thinking and Absorptive Capacity to Build a Dynamic Capability and Competitive Advantage. Journal of Innovation Management. 6, 102-120 (2018).
15. Cabello, A., Baldessarelli, G., Tucci, C.L.: Enhancing Absorptive Capacity – The Case of Design Thinking. Academy of Management. 16728 (2016).
16. Llamas, C.: Human-centered Innovation Processes The Case of Design Thinking in Nascent and Large Firms, (2015).
17. Anderson, A.H., McEwan, R., Bal, J., Carletta, J.: Virtual Team Meetings: An Analysis of Communication and Context. Computers in Human Behavior. 23, 2558-2580 (2007).
18. Redlich, B. Performing Design Thinking Virtually – A Socio-Cognitive View on Virtual Design Thinking. Forthcoming. (2020).
19. El Mallakh, R., Atta, J.K.: Absorptive Capacity of Kuwait: Domestic and International Perspectives. Web. (1981).
20. Volberda, H.W., Foss, N.J., Lyles, M.A.: Absorbing the Concept of Absorptive Capacity: How to Realize Its Potential in the Organization Field. Organization Science. 21, 931-951 (2010).
21. Brown, T.: Design Thinking. Harvard Business Review. 84-92 (2008).
22. Carlgren, L., Elmquist, M., Rauth, I.: Design Thinking: Exploring Values and Effects from an Innovation Capability Perspective. The Design Journal. 17, 403- 423 (2014).
23. Brenner, W., Uebernickel, F., Abrell, T.: Design Thinking as Mindset, Process, and Toolbox. In: Brenner, W. and Uebernickel, F. (eds.) Design Thinking for Innovation: Research and Practice. 3-21. Springer International Publishing, Cham (2016).
24. Brown, T.: Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation. HarperBusiness, New York, USA. (2009).
25. Plattner, H., Weinberg, U.: Design Thinking – Understand – Improve – Apply. mv-verlag, Munich (2009).
26. Fulton, S.J., Hendrix, R.M.: Developing Design Sensibilities. Rotman Magazine, Spring. 58-63 (2010).
27. Howard, Z., Senova, M., Melles, G.: Exploring the Role of Mindset in Design Thinking: Implications for Capability Development and Practice. Journal of Design, Business & Society. 1, 183-202 (2015).
28. Fraser, H.: The Practice of Breakthrough Strategies by Design. Journal of Business Strategy. 28, 66-74 (2007).
29. Lund, D.R.: Design Thinking Collaboration: Changing How Companies Solve Problems, (2014).
30. Johnson, S.D., Suriya, C., Won Yoon, S., Berrett, J.V., La Fleur, J.: Team Development and Group Processes of Virtual Learning Teams. Computers & Education. 39, 379-393 (2002).
31. Siemon, D., Redlich, B., Lattemann, C., Robra-Bissantz, S.: Forming Virtual Teams – Visualization with Digital Whiteboards to Increase Shared Understanding, Satisfaction and Perceived Effectiveness. ICIS 2017 Proceedings. (2017).
32. Johansson-Sköldberg, U., Woodilla, J., Cetinkaya, M.: Design Thinking: Past, Present and Possible Futures. Creativity and Innovation Management. 22, 121- 146 (2013).
33. Rive, P., Karmoker, S.: Design Thinking Methods and Creative Technologies in Virtual Worlds. Presented at the Academic Conference International Limited (2016).
34. Felin, T., Foss, N.J., Heimeriks, K.H., Madsen, T.L.: Microfoundations of Routines and Capabilities: Individuals, Processes, and Structure. Journal of Management Studies. 49, 1351-1374 (2012).
35. Flores, M.: Towards a Taxonomy for Networking Models For Innovation. In: Network-Centric Collaboration and Supporting Frameworks. 55-66. Springer US (2006).
36. Jr, J.F.N., Briggs, R.O., Derrick, D.C., Schwabe, G.: The Last Research Mile: Achieving Both Rigor and Relevance in Information Systems Research. Journal of Management Information Systems. 32, 10-47 (2015).
37. Wenzel, M., Gericke, L., Thiele, C., Meinel, C.: Globalized Design Thinking: Bridging the Gap Between Analog and Digital for Browser-Based Remote Collaboration. In: Plattner, H., Meinel, C., and Leifer, L. (eds.) Design Thinking Research: Making Design Thinking Foundational. 15-33. Springer International Publishing, Cham (2016).
38. Sein, M.K., Henfridsson, O., Purao, S., Rossi, M., Lindgren, R.: Action Design Research. MIS Quarterly. 35, 37–56 (2011).
39. Hevner, A.R., March, S.T., Park, J., Ram, S.: Design Science in Information Systems Research. MIS Quarterly. 28, 75–105 (2004).
40. Baskerville, M: Special Issue on Action Research in Information Systems: Making IS Research Relevant to Practice: Foreword. MIS Quarterly. 28, 329-335 (2004).
41. Grandinetti, R.: Absorptive capacity and knowledge management in small and medium enterprises. Knowledge Management Research & Practice. 14, 159-168 (2016).
42. Forfás: Making Technological Knowledge Work – A Study of the Absorptive Capacity of Irish SMEs. 1-125 (2005).
43. Oerlemans, L.A.G., Knoben, J., Pretorius, M.W.: Alliance Portfolio Diversity, Radical and Incremental Innovation: The Moderating Role of Technology Management. Technovation. 33, 234–246 (2013).