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Design thinking teams and team innovation performance

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  • Frode Heldal

    (NTNU Business School)

Abstract

Design thinking (DT) is hailed as a cornerstone of innovation. It is based on teamwork, yet we know little about how the DT team operates and collaborates. In this study, we investigate 51 Norwegian master’s student teams as they work on an innovation project using DT. We seek especially to understand how they communicate and collaborate while working with DT tools, with special attention to divergent and convergent thinking. Using a mixed methods approach, we analyze the teams´ behaviors and developments in these. Findings suggest that the highest performing groups use the DT method with greater discipline than the other groups. To achieve this, they employ more authority-based behaviors and fewer supportive behaviors than the other groups. This disciplined approach to DT as a process and the use of tools, such as brainstorming, are in turn associated with convergent and divergent thinking. The main conclusions are that a disciplined approach using DT as a team tool, enables team reflexivity and psychological safety. This enhances innovative performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Frode Heldal, 2023. "Design thinking teams and team innovation performance," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-26, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joiaen:v:12:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1186_s13731-023-00325-9
    DOI: 10.1186/s13731-023-00325-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Meinel, Martin & Eismann, Tobias T. & Baccarella, Christian V. & Fixson, Sebastian K. & Voigt, Kai-Ingo, 2020. "Does applying design thinking result in better new product concepts than a traditional innovation approach? An experimental comparison study," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 661-671.
    2. James G. March, 1991. "Exploration and Exploitation in Organizational Learning," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 2(1), pages 71-87, February.
    3. Konstantinos Kostopoulos & Nikos Bozionelos, 2011. "Team Exploratory and Exploitative Learning : Psychological Safety, Task Conflict, and Team Performance," Post-Print hal-02312095, HAL.
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