Co-creation for inclusive innovation – A case study with displaced communities

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Volume Title

School of Business | Master's thesis

Date

2024

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

International Design Business Management

Language

en

Pages

60+4

Series

Abstract

Objectives: This thesis explores a collaborative project between a multidisciplinary student team from Aalto University's, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Brazil, and an Indigenous Venezuelan refugee community in Northern Brazil. The primary objectives include investigating how co-creation methodologies can foster inclusive innovation within the context of Indigenous Venezuelan refugees integrating into Brazil, providing a detailed examination of the practical steps involved in co-creation, and identifying the potential barriers, opportunities, and best practices within the co-creation process to achieve inclusive innovation. Methodology: The research adopts a single intensive case study approach, utilizing qualitative and ethnographic research traditions. The data has been gathered during a field trip to Brazil, including several workshops, semi-structured interviews, and theme discussions to generate context-specific solutions. Results: The study demonstrates that co-creation approaches can be effectively implemented to support community integration and inclusive innovation. Key findings highlight that successful co-creation in humanitarian settings requires building trust, actively listening to the community, empowering them to take ownership, and facilitating skill and knowledge transfer. This thesis contributes to the literature on inclusive innovation and co-creation by providing empirical evidence and practical implications for involving marginalized communities in the innovation process in a contextually and culturally appropriate way.

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Thesis advisor

Katila, Saija

Keywords

inclusive innovation, co-creation, integration, refugees

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