Design Thinking Tools to Catalyse Sustainable Circular Innovation

Nancy Bocken, Brian Baldassarre, Duygu Keskin, Jan Carel Diehl

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeChapterScientific

2 Citations (Scopus)
51 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Design thinking is an innovation approach for organisations aiming to solve complex and open-ended problems, including those arising in the transition from a linear to a circular economic system. Although the importance has been recognised in business and academia, to date, insight is lacking on how design thinking can be applied within circular innovation specifically. We investigate the following research question: How can design thinking tools catalyse sustainable circular innovation? Based on the literature, we first create a framework that characterises design thinking principles, criteria and phases that could support circular innovation. The design thinking phases are ideate and design, implement and test, and evaluate and improve. The criteria include desirability, feasibility, viability and sustainability, and circularity. Finally, we identify the following principles that make design thinking suitable to tackle complex circular innovation challenges: human-centred, future-oriented, holistic, co-creative, and experimental. Consequently, against this framework, we map 11 tools that are suitable to catalyse circular innovation theory into practice through design thinking. Finally, we reflect on the future of research and practice around this subject.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge Handbook of Catalysts for a Sustainable Circular Economy
EditorsHanna Lehtimäki, Leena Aarikka-Stenroos, Ari Jokinen, Pekka Jokinen
Place of PublicationOxon/New York, NY
PublisherRoutledge - Taylor & Francis Group
Chapter18
Pages359-387
Number of pages29
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-003-26749-2
ISBN (Print)978-1-032-21244-9, 978-1-032-21245-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

The publication was funded by the University of Eastern Finland, Tampere University, LUT University, and the University of Turku.

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