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    An investigation into design thinking behaviours in early stage radical innovation


    Ryan, Martin and Devitt, Frank (2014) An investigation into design thinking behaviours in early stage radical innovation. Proceedings of the 19th DMI: Academic Design Management Conference. pp. 2755-2779. ISSN 978-0-615-99152-8

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    Abstract

    The early stage of radical innovation is characterised by uncertainty, data overload and often high rates of change. Schumpeter’s ‘creative destruction’ view of innovation is now exacerbated by ‘hypercompetition’ (D'Aveni, 1999), a theory that describers the increasing rate and intensity of change in modern markets. In the design and strategy literature, design thinking is often positioned as an appropriate mediator of radical innovation in these circumstances, by facilitating interpretation of market uncertainties and moderating organisational behaviours. At its inception radical innovation is determined largely by the cognitive behaviour of the actors involved, often semi-consciously. In this study we set out to distinguish design thinking from analytical thinking and investigate the suitability of both for the effective early stage formation of radical innovation concepts. Additionally, whereas design thinking literature mostly investigates and reports on the benefits of its application, we seek to understand where design thinking’s limitations lie and where it may be better replaced by other forms of cognition. This paper reports at an interim stage of a continuing study. It provides a comprehensive review of relevant literature and a qualitative exploration of two successful innovating SME firms. A framework is given for a novel experimental protocol that will be used in the next stage of the larger study.

    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Design thinking; radical innovation; emergent strategy; cognitive models; strategic decision making;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Social Sciences > Design Innovation
    Item ID: 7774
    Depositing User: Martin Ryan
    Date Deposited: 17 Jan 2017 15:05
    Journal or Publication Title: Proceedings of the 19th DMI: Academic Design Management Conference
    Publisher: Design Management Institute
    Refereed: Yes
    URI:
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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