Louise Møller Haase

Get a grip on sense-making and exploration dealing with complexity through serious play

This paper focuses on the relationships between complex problems, sense-making, and exploration. We argue that we increasingly face complex problems for which we do not yet have effective coping methods. We further argue that, given the nature of these problems, it is useful to explore the role of play and games as effective coping methods. Through play we can make sense of complex phenomena and explore features thereof. Games, and in particular online games, seem to provide interesting features for capturing and dealing with complex problems. However, we argue that the games are not yet matured enough to fit the requirements for coping with specific professional settings. This leads us to propose a framework that includes games as one of four mechanisms. The framework is tested in a professional case.

Process Perspective on Entrepreneurship

Gertsen, Lassen, Haase, and Nielsen start with the proposition that the essential properties of development processes within the three areas of innovation, design, and entrepreneurship have converged during recent decades. Based on a review of the three areas, Gertsen et al. conclude that, indeed, the development of processes within the three areas has led to a seeming convergence in the understanding of processes. However, it appears that the development may have happened more or less independently; although some similarities between the three disciplines can be identified, figuratively, the development may have followed different roads leading to the same intersection. Gertsen et al. identify similarities and opportunities for cross-fertilizations and conclude that further comparing and contrasting may be beneficial to advance learning in all three fields.

The construction of meaning in design-driven projects: a paradox initiated process

ABSTRACT In a world of ever-increasing products and services, companies are forced to think differently and find new approaches to bring meaningful and differentiating products to the market. In many cases, they have to go beyond the functional features in order to win the customers’ hearts and attention. Design-driven innovation is acknowledged as a way to create new meaningful experiences to the users – not driven by market demands or technology development but by experience and the emotional parameters of the solution-to-be. Despite an increasing interest in design-driven innovation, the process of how new meanings are constructed is still a neglected area in existing design research. This paper explores how five Danish companies in diverse industries constructed new product meanings. The study indicates that 1) innovation of meaning starts from a paradox in an existing product-user relationship – often experienced by the designer 2) the central point for meanings’ construction is the user’s experience of the product, and 3) meaning is constructed in respect to a number of different product aspects including e.g. experience, interaction and expression.

FRAMING NEW PRODUCT INNOVATIONS: HOW TO MAKE SENSE OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL INSIGHTS?

This study examines: How experts make sense of internal and external insights when they create new product innovations. It focuses on the experts’ reasoning; and suggests a model for internal/external sense-making based on framing theory. The model is tested in three emblematic cases in respectively B&O, Coloplast & Vipp. The study reveals, that experts make sense by reapplying frames from previous internal products as well as adopt frames from external inspirational products. Hereby they both create coherency with the brand, but also update the product to match new emerging values and trends.