From Participation to Collaboration: Reflections on the Co-Creation of Innovative Business Ideas

Citation

Broadley C, Champion K, Johnson MP & McHattie L (2016) From Participation to Collaboration: Reflections on the Co-Creation of Innovative Business Ideas. In: Lloyd P & Bohemia E (eds.) Proceedings of DRS 2016: The 50th Anniversary DRS Conference 2016, Future-Focused Thinking, Volume 5. DRS International Conference Series. DRS2016: Design Research Society 50th Anniversary Conference, Brighton, 27.06.2016-30.06.2017. London: Design Research Society, pp. 1739-1758. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2016.191

Abstract
Design-led innovation interventions are predicated on the importance of establishing complex disciplinary collaborations. This paper reflects on the effects of different co-design methods to support knowledge exchange and the co-creation of new business ideas with multidisciplinary participants. It draws on data collected from sandpit style events entitled Chiasma, undertaken as part of the knowledge exchange hub, Design in Action (DiA) in which co-design methods were used to bring designers, entrepreneurs, and academics together to develop innovative business ideas in Scotland. Employing a thematic analysis of idea generation, team formation, and idea development, we suggest that a more nuanced range of methods, tools, and techniques can strengthen multidisciplinary engagement and participation. We argue that such approaches can be enhanced by designers and researchers{\textquoteright} shifting focus from co-design methods to supporting collaborative mindsets in knowledge exchange towards innovation.

Keywords
co-design methods; knowledge exchange; collaboration; design-led innovation

People

Dr Katherine Champion

Senior Lecturer, Communications, Media and Culture