Co-designing (with) organizations: human-centeredness, participation and embodiment in organizational development

ABSTRACT

In this paper we study a design approach as a method for conducting organizational development in innovation process management. We have utilized personas, metaphorical design, scenarios and paper prototyping as ways of going beyond mere problem-solving. These methods have been used to create solutions that allow the organization to reflect on their activities from a wider perspective. We analyse the methods from the point of view of three important aspects of design work: human-centeredness, participation and embodiment. The research is based in an industry context in which a globally operating company is in the process of renewing their innovation processes. Building on these methods the participants in the three co-design workshops were able to generate a shared understanding of the motivations of their employees, plan new innovation practices and create future scenarios of digital tools and features that support the work in the R&D units. Based on our analysis we give recommendations for design methods in organizational development and suggestions for further research.

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Index Terms

• Applied computing

  • Enterprise computing

    • Enterprise information systems

• General and reference

  • Document types

    • General conference proceedings

• Information systems

  • Information systems applications

    • Enterprise information systems