Navigating Innovation hubs through design thinking: Insights from Helsinki and Espoo

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dc.contributorAalto Universityen
dc.contributorAalto-yliopistofi
dc.contributor.advisorKollmann, Talvikki
dc.contributor.authorNakamura, Yuzu
dc.contributor.schoolTaiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulufi
dc.contributor.schoolSchool of Arts, Design and Architectureen
dc.contributor.supervisorChun, Namkyu
dc.date.accessioned2024-07-14T15:01:41Z
dc.date.available2024-07-14T15:01:41Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractInnovation has historically existed as a catalyst for economic and societal growth, situated in the intersection of entrepreneurship and creativity. In recent years, conventional approaches to innovation have fallen short, especially in comprehensively addressing user needs. Design thinking, with its emphasis on human-cantered, collaborative, and iterative problem-solving approach, has emerged as a powerful methodology in the realm of innovation. Despite this, there is a lack of research in design thinking within innovation hubs, an intentional environment for fostering innovation. This thesis aims to close the knowledge gap by conducting research into the current workings of innovation hubs in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area of Finland and how design thinking is manifested in their operations and provisions. Furthermore, this thesis aims to suggest ways that design thinking may be further adopted in these hubs. The objective is to contribute to the field of design and entrepreneurship by expanding the understanding and value of design thinking in dynamic and multidisciplinary fields. The literature review was conducted to understand the value and operations of an innovation hub, design thinking and design thinking in organisational structures. Sev-en semi-structured interviews were conducted with four participants of title-holding responsibilities in an innovation hub and three of active participants in an innovation hub. Through the seven research participants, two major innovation hubs: one in Helsinki and one in Espoo, is studied. The main findings highlights how design thinking is currently being understood, used within the organisational structure and in the provisions of an innovation hub. Utilising the existing literature, this thesis maps out how design thinking has unknowingly manifested within the operations of the provisions in an innovation hub by analysing their values, operation process and goals. The study identifies a method of both conscious and unconscious applications of design thinking in their operations and provisions, from the way of organising multidisciplinary teams to ideating for their next event. While all participants have acknowledged the importance of design thinking, there is discourse on its vague definition. Challenges hindering the successful promotion of community building and collaboration is addressed in the findings by suggestion of introducing the design thinking practices of facilitation and co-creation. The practical implications of these findings are aimed at innovation hubs seeking to improve their operations, and furthermore for designers looking to contribute their knowledge in organisational structures.en
dc.format.extent53 + 16
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.urihttps://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/129523
dc.identifier.urnURN:NBN:fi:aalto-202407145106
dc.language.isoenen
dc.programmeBachelor's Programme in Designen
dc.programme.majorMajor of Designen
dc.subject.keyworddesign thinking for organisationsen
dc.subject.keywordcollaborationen
dc.subject.keyworddesign for multidisciplinarityen
dc.subject.keyworddesign thinkingen
dc.subject.keywordinnovationen
dc.subject.keywordinnovation hubsen
dc.subject.keywordparticipationen
dc.titleNavigating Innovation hubs through design thinking: Insights from Helsinki and Espooen
dc.typeG1 Kandidaatintyöfi
dc.type.ontasotBachelor's thesisen
dc.type.ontasotKandidaatintyöfi
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