Perceptions of the value of Design Thinking in innovation in large firms

Recently, Design Thinking (DT) has become a widespread concept, heavily promoted for improving a firm’s innovativeness. Yet, our understanding regarding the potential value of DT is still limited, in both design and innovation research. The purpose of this paper is therefore to investigate how companies that are using DT in practice perceive the value and the effects it creates in their organizations. The paper builds on a study of large organizations in Germany and the US, including 51 semi-structured interviews in 6 large firms. Early findings indicate that although many firms pointed at the expected outcome-related values (such as new ideas, better products), some also underlined other benefits, more related to effects on the innovation process, collaboration practices and company culture. It is thus argued that in addition to known short-term benefits, DT may also contribute to the strengthening of the long-term innovativeness of firms.