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DESIGN_THINKER_PROFILE_Chesson2017.pdf (3.89 MB)

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Executive_Summary_Chesson2017.pdf (154.83 KB)

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Design Thinker Profile: Creating and Validating a Scale for Measuring Design Thinking Capabilities

Chesson, Dani
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4183-9219
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1508246732653715

Abstract Details

2017, Ph.D., Antioch University, Leadership and Change.
This study developed a scale for assessing design thinking capabilities in individuals. Many organizations today are turning to design thinking to tackle the complex challenges they face. As organizations move toward adopting this way of working the need to develop design thinking capabilities in individuals becomes imperative. The capabilities needed for engaging in design thinking are skills that we all have to some varying degree, but we do not all use them to their full potential when solving problems. The scale developed in this study measures the degree to which an individual uses design thinking capabilities when engaged in problem solving. The research process involved a two-phase mixed methods design. In Phase 1, 536 individuals responded to an online survey. The data collected were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. A new scale was developed that identified the three core capabilities needed to engage in design thinking: Solution Optimism, Visual Expression, and Collaborative Discovery. In Phase 2, 10 respondents from Phase 1 were selected to participate in follow-up interviews. Findings from the second phase of the study indicated the scale was perceived to accurately measure the use of design thinking capabilities in individuals when engaged in problem solving. Participants commented that this profile was unlike any other assessments they have taken in the past because this profile focuses on skills not emphasized in other assessments. Therefore, the new scale could be used along with other assessments to get a complete view of an individual’s skill set. The findings also indicate that this profile will be useful for executive coaches, change management practitioners, educators teaching design related courses, leaders engaged in team development, and for researchers exploring design thinking capabilities. This dissertation is accompanied by an Executive Summary [pdf] and the author’s MP4 video introduction (for transcript see Appendix I). This dissertation is available in open-access at OhioLink ETD Center, etd.ohiolink.edu, and AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive, http://aura.antioch.edu/
Mitchell Kusy (Committee Chair)
Carol Baron (Committee Member)
Shannon Finn Connell (Committee Member)
210 p.
Behavioral Sciences; Behaviorial Sciences; Business Administration; Business Education; Design; Management; Organization Theory; Organizational Behavior; Social Research
Mixed-Methods; Scale Development; Design Thinking; Design Thinker; Design Thinking Capabilities; Design Thinking Skills; Complex Problem Solving; Innovation; Leading Change; Leadership

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Chesson, D. (2017). Design Thinker Profile: Creating and Validating a Scale for Measuring Design Thinking Capabilities [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1508246732653715

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Chesson, Dani. Design Thinker Profile: Creating and Validating a Scale for Measuring Design Thinking Capabilities. 2017. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1508246732653715.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Chesson, Dani. "Design Thinker Profile: Creating and Validating a Scale for Measuring Design Thinking Capabilities." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1508246732653715

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1508246732653715
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© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.