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A Model for Measuring and Managing the Impact of Design on the Organization: Insights from Four Companies

Author

Listed:
  • Iker Legarda

    (Design Innovation Center (DBZ), Faculty of Engineering, Mondragon Unibertsitatea, Loramendi 4, 20500 Arrasate-Mondragon, Spain)

  • Ion Iriarte

    (Design Innovation Center (DBZ), Faculty of Engineering, Mondragon Unibertsitatea, Loramendi 4, 20500 Arrasate-Mondragon, Spain)

  • Maya Hoveskog

    (School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability, Halmstad University, Kristian IV:s väg 3, 301 18 Halmstad, Sweden)

  • Daniel Justel-Lozano

    (Design Innovation Center (DBZ), Faculty of Engineering, Mondragon Unibertsitatea, Loramendi 4, 20500 Arrasate-Mondragon, Spain)

Abstract

Increasing numbers of companies are looking to embed design as a strategic capability to meet today’s business and social challenges. However, integrating design in an organization is a challenge, due to the scarcity of knowledge on managing this process and measuring its impact. This study presents a model for measuring and managing the impact of design on the organization (DIMM). The model builds on four levels of design impact identified in the literature: results, perception, processes, and design culture. The model was tested with four service companies that have recently developed design capabilities. To this end, those responsible for the integration of design were interviewed, using the model itself as an interview guide to confirm its usefulness and identify possible improvements. The results showed that the model was useful to assess the impact of design on companies with emerging design capabilities, but also as a reflection and management tool to align design with strategic objectives and promote its integration into the organization. Finally, future research should test the model longitudinally, as well as in a broader scope of organizations, to validate its usefulness for organizations with greater design maturity.

Suggested Citation

  • Iker Legarda & Ion Iriarte & Maya Hoveskog & Daniel Justel-Lozano, 2021. "A Model for Measuring and Managing the Impact of Design on the Organization: Insights from Four Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-23, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12580-:d:679148
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Erik Aranburu & Ganix Lasa & Jon Kepa Gerrikagoitia & Maitane Mazmela, 2020. "Case Study of the Experience Capturer Evaluation Tool in the Design Process of an Industrial HMI," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-10, August.
    2. Sihem Ben Mahmoud Jouini & Christophe Midler & Philippe Silberzahn, 2016. "Contributions of Design Thinking to Project Management in an Innovation Context," Post-Print hal-02313406, HAL.
    3. Ieva Martinkenaite & Karl Joachim Breunig & Annita Fjuk, 2017. "Capable design or designing capabilities? An exploration of service design as an emerging organizational capability in Telenor – Martinkenaite," Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation, Fundacja Upowszechniająca Wiedzę i Naukę "Cognitione", vol. 13(1), pages 69-87.
    4. Romme, A. Georges L. & Reymen, Isabelle M.M.J., 2018. "Entrepreneurship at the interface of design and science: Toward an inclusive framework," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 10(C), pages 1-1.
    5. David Dunne, 2018. "Implementing design thinking in organizations: an exploratory study," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 7(1), pages 1-16, December.
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