Enhancing Innovation Management Through Design Thinking and AI While Exploring the Role of Digital Communication in Driving Strategic Transformation

Organizations increasingly depend on innovative processes to remain competitive and robust in today’s rapidly developing business ecosystem. Design Thinking and Artificial Intelligence have emerged as massive instruments in promoting innovation and improving decision-making processes. Despite the potential of AI and design thinking, more research is needed on how these processes can be effectively integrated within a cohesive framework to drive organizational transformation and enhance communication strategies. This research aimed to explore how Design Thinking and AI can be synergized within Innovation Management approaches to improve digital communication processes, eventually providing organizations with a strategic advantage. Besides, the author explored the challenges and benefits of such integration. The author used a qualitative research methodology with a case study approach, focusing on in-depth analysis based on semi-structured interviews conducted with fifteen managers in SMEs. Two hypotheses were created. The findings suggest integrating Design Thinking and Artificial Intelligence within Innovation Management can significantly improve digital communication by promoting more significant engagement, personalized interactions, and stakeholder responsiveness. Moreover, this causes strategic advantages for organizations by accelerating problem-solving, boosting productivity, and improving decision-making processes, consequently influencing to overall organizational transformation.