Abstract

The overall aim of this study is to explore the potential of Design Thinking to bring value to small firms through ambidexterity, which is essential to firms’ performance and survival. Specifically, we investigate how Design Thinking can benefit ambidextrous dynamics between small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) managers’ entrepreneurial and administrative mindsets. The empirical foundation of our study is in-depth qualitative data on 24 SME managers who participated in a two-year research project driven by Design Thinking. The study reveals that Design Thinking does put into motion the managers’ ambidextrous thinking. Some Design Thinking principles reinforce entrepreneurial thinking, some administrative management thinking, while others, again reinforce flexible ambidextrous management thinking.

摘要

本研究的总体目标是探索设计思维通过双元性为小公司带来价值的潜力，这对公司的绩效和生存至关重要。具体而言，我们调查了设计思维如何有益于中小企业 (SME) 经理的创业和管理思维方式之间的双元动力。我们研究的实证基础是对参与由设计思维驱动的为期两年的研究项目的 24 位中小企业经理的深入定性数据。研究表明，设计思维确实激发了管理者的灵巧思维。一些设计思维原则强化了创业思维，一些行政管理思维，而另一些则再次强化了灵活的灵巧管理思维。