Embedding Design Thinking Paradigm in a University’s Business Assistance to Small Business

Abstract

Interest gaps exist between the university and the small firms when running a business assistance program, leading to the importance of practical guidance that could accommodate both partners’ interests. However, there is relatively little literature about how the university team should implement business assistance to a small partnering firm. Accordingly, this research used three stages and a mixed-method approach to solve the problem, involving qualitative and quantitative techniques and action research. This study introduced PROSEM, an acronym for problem rooting, solution treatment, and measurement, to guide university business assistance to small firms by adopting the design thinking paradigm. The results revealed a significant impact on the SME’s business performance. The PROSEM process further proved that a measurable and well-planned treatment based on the root causes could increase revenue and production volume and reduce the returned product rate. At the same time, this study enriches researchers’ knowledge and skills in developing the concept and guidelines of a systematic problem-solving method using unique, real cases in the small business community. As such, the PROSEM affirms that design thinking is an open and adjustable concept which can be embedded and modified in various problem-solving procedures.

Design thinking for innovation: context factors, process, and outcomes

“…Moreover, recent studies indicate the elements of DT can be categorized as dynamic capabilities for innovation, by sensing opportunities, seizing them, and transforming or reconfiguring the resources (Kurtmollaiev et al ., 2018; Liedtka, 2020; Magistretti et al ., 2021a). At the team level, DT promotes a team's overall performance (Nakata and Hwang, 2020; Suci et al ., 2021). In addition, DT team outcomes demonstrate high levels of creativity (Lee et al ., 2019; Meinel et al ., 2020).…”

“…DT has been shown to significantly impact new product development and innovation (Chen et al ., 2018; Nagaraj et al ., 2020; Nakata and Hwang, 2020). Moreover, it promotes teams' overall performance (Nakata and Hwang, 2020; Suci et al ., 2021). Performing DT leads to increased creativity on the group level (Lee et al ., 2019) and individual level (Cummings and Yur-Austin, 2021; Kim, 2020).…”

“…3.4 Outcomes 3.4.1 Organizational Level. The use of DT can improve the performance of firms (Suci et al, 2021). Regarding the development of products, due to the user-focus, products can be developed that have high utility and meet the needs of users (Chen et al, 2018).…”

“…For a long time, findings were primarily based on case studies describing practical applications (Holloway, 2009; Liedtka, 2015). Recently, researchers have started to use quantitative methodologies to measure the impact of DT (Suci et al ., 2021; Nakata and Hwang, 2020; Nagaraj et al ., 2020).…”

Pendampingan Petani 1001 Bunga Untuk Meningkatkan Kesejahteraan Di Desa Banyuurip, Kecamatan Kedamean, Kabupaten Gresik

“…Prosem merupakan singkatan dari problem rooting, solution treatment, and measurement untuk memandu dalam melakukan pendampingan terhadap usaha kecil dengan mengadopsi paradigma pemikiran design. Prosedur pemecahan menurut teori klasik yang dikemukakan oleh Poyla (1954) see also (Suci et al, 2022) dimulai dengan memahami masalah, menentukan dan melaksanakan tindakan yang tepat serta mengevaluasi efektivitas seluruh rencana. Salah satu metode yang digunakan untuk mengenali masalah nyata yang dihadapi usaha kecil adalah root-cause analysis (RCA), merupakan proses memahami inti dari suatu masalah (Suci et al, 2022).…”