Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) have deployed various strategies in motivating businesses to source sustainably, such as the co-development and promotion of sustainability certification and direct collaboration in cross-sector partnerships (CSPs). This is an important current-day priority, given the ambitions set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Increasingly, NPOs have taken up a role as conveners of such CSPs. Research on CSPs has, to date, often considered conveners as a ‘resource’ to the CSP, contributing to its effectiveness. In this study, we shift the focus towards the convener by considering a case of a ‘mission-driven convener’, an NPO that initiates CSPs as a strategy to realize its own sustainability objectives. Our explorative case study—comparing the NPO’s efforts across six countries in setting up national coffee platforms—reviews the concept of a mission-driven convener vis-à-vis established notions on convening and identifies which strategies it applies to realize a CSP. These strategies comprise productively combining certification-driven efforts with CSPs, combining process and outcomes of CSPs, and drawing on cross-level dynamics derived from outsourcing of convening work to local actors. With our study, we contribute to research on CSP conveners by offering an alternative interpretation to the relation between the CSP and the convener, attributing more agency to the convener as a mission-driven organization. Strengthening our understanding of CSPs and conveners is an important means to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Transitions can be facilitated through collective networked action, moving from coordinated learning towards more forceful interventions. This coordinated effort is challenging in more extended learning and innovation networks. Creating and maintaining an overview of activities within such a network and connecting them to a common cause can be a powerful approach. A tool named MissionMapping was developed in an iterative process in applied co-design research. With the tool, we intend to allow for a more holistic perspective when navigating the activities of the network related to the transition by working towards more of an overview of the questions and activities within the network. This article describes three cases in which MissionMapping was applied to facilitate synergy in networks of people collaborating on societal challenges. A cross-case analysis was done to develop insights on how MissionMapping supports the synergy of goals and projects within societal challenges. MissionMapping allows participants to build their mission landscape. They combine individual activities to create shared territories. The tool was developed in an iterative process. In the three cases, different versions of the tool were used during live workshops. After the cases and applying MissionMapping in other cases, the tool results in a flexible set that can be adapted to different purposes for a workshop and adopted by others who like to apply the tool. The article presents insights resulting from a cross-case analysis of applying the MissionMapping tool. One insight was that it is difficult to keep track of adjustments over time when the network dynamics change. Additionally, we found that while preparing the workshop, adjusting and printing the tiles cost time and are not easily transferable to others who might be interested in applying the tool. Navigating the mission resulted in increased enthusiasm for the topic at hand. The form factor also seems to contribute to a sense of agency. However, the increased agency does not automatically transfer to actions, as organisations are often inflexible. MissionMapping stimulates the development of a shared language through the landscape metaphor. This helps to cross boundaries in multidisciplinary networks. Capturing and transferring insights visually and digitally was quite challenging. Further exploration is needed to find an effective method. It is difficult to capture the impact of the MissionMaps and requires monitoring over time. For now, we conclude that it benefits collaboration, creates overviews in complex networks, and may fuel idea generation.
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Author supplied from the article: ABSTRACT Increasing global competition in manufacturing technology puts pressure on lead times for product design and production engineering. By the application of effective methods for systems engineering (engineering design), the development risks can be addressed in a structured manner to minimise chances of delay and guarantee timely market introduction. Concurrent design has proven to be effective in markets for high tech systems; the product and its manufacturing means are simultaneously developed starting at the product definition. Unfortunately, not many systems engineering methodologies do support development well in the early stage of the project where proof of concept is still under investigation. The number of practically applicable tools in this stage is even worse. Industry could use a systems engineering method that combines a structured risk approach, concurrent development, and especially enables application in the early stage of product and equipment design. The belief is that Axiomatic Design can provide with a solid foundation for this need. This paper proposes a ‘Constituent Roadmap of Product Design’, based on the axiomatic design methodology. It offers easy access to a broad range of users, experienced and inexperienced. First, it has the ability to evaluate if knowledge application to a design is relevant and complete. Secondly, it offers more detail within the satisfaction interval of the independence axiom. The constituent roadmap is based on recent work that discloses an analysis on information in axiomatic design. The analysis enables better differentiation on project progression in the conceptual stage of design. The constituent roadmap integrates axiomatic design and the methods that harmonise with it. Hence, it does not jeopardise the effectiveness of the methodology. An important feature is the check matrix, a low threshold interface that unlocks the methodology to a larger audience. (Source - PDF presented at ASME IMECE (International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
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Our society faces many challenges, necessitating collaborative efforts among multiple stakeholders. Our students learn this in living labs. This paper explores preliminary research on introducing co-design to novices. We introduce a case study exploring how design educators can support students in developing co-design competencies. Central to this study is our Co-Design Canvas, introduced as a pivotal tool for fostering open dialogue among diverse stakeholders. This stimulates collaboration through effective teamwork and empathic formation. The research questions aim to discover effective methods for introducing the Co-Design Canvas to living lab students, and to identify the necessary prior knowledge and expertise for both novices and educators to effectively engage with and teach the Co-Design Canvas. The paper advocates for a pedagogical shift to effectively engage students in multi-stakeholder challenges. Through a series of workshops, the Co-Design Canvas was introduced to novices. We found that this required a significant cognitive stretch for staff and students. The paper concludes by presenting a, for now, final workshop format consisting of assignments that supports introducing the Canvas and thereby co design to societal impact design novices. This program better prepares students and coaches for multi stakeholder challenges within living labs.
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The transition to an inclusive society through design Inclusive design can play a critical role in shaping a more equitable society. When products and services are intentionally created to be inclusive, they become more accessible to a wide audience, including people who might otherwise struggle to engage with them. In this way, designers become agents of social transformation. The project Active Inclusive Design (AID) addresses this challenge directly. It aims to enhance the capabilities of professional and future designers to create inclusive products and services, both digital and non-digital. In doing so, it supports a responsible and digital society central to the Expertise network Systemic Co-design (ESC) agenda, and is closely connected to all ESC Dynamic Learning Agenda (DLA) themes: Systemic Co-Design (SCD) in me, SCD with others, SCD in reality and SCD in time.
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This book offers a comprehensive, practice-based exploration of Systemic Co-Design (SCD) as it is applied to society’s most complex and urgent transitions. Drawing on collaborative projects from the Expertisenetwork Systemic Co-Design (ESC), it portrays Systemic Co-Design not as a fixed framework but as a reflexive, evolving practice. The chapters present diverse collaborations and inquiries, ranging from inclusive design and digital accessibility to fostering safety cultures and urban co-creation, that illustrate Systemic Co-Design’s capacity to build awareness, trust, and communities, as well as systemic capabilities. The book promotes mutual learning and generates knowledge products such as maps, canvases, cards, games, and embodied interactions that enable meaningful engagement. Key themes that run throughout include continuous reflection, the blending of action research and design experimentation, and collective sense-making across disciplines. The contributions demonstrate how new values, methods, and communities are co-developed with design practitioners, policymakers, educators, and citizens. Together, they demonstrate how Systemic Co-Design achieves practical outcomes while fostering the longterm capacities and cultural shifts necessary for systemic change.
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Design schools in digital media and interaction design face the challenge of integrating recent artificial intelligence (AI) advancements into their curriculum. To address this, curricula must teach students to design both "with" and "for" AI. This paper addresses how designing for AI differs from designing for other novel technologies that have entered interaction design education. Future digital designers must develop new solution repertoires for intelligent systems. The paper discusses preparing students for these challenges, suggesting that design schools must choose between a lightweight and heavyweight approach toward the design of AI. The lightweight approach prioritises designing front-end AI applications, focusing on user interfaces, interactions, and immediate user experience impact. This requires adeptness in designing for evolving mental models and ethical considerations but is disconnected from a deep technological understanding of the inner workings of AI. The heavyweight approach emphasises conceptual AI application design, involving users, altering design processes, and fostering responsible practices. While it requires basic technological understanding, the specific knowledge needed for students remains uncertain. The paper compares these approaches, discussing their complementarity.
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Sustainability is one of the most important challenges of our time. How can we develop prosperity, without compromising the life of future generations? Companies are integrating ideas of sustainability in their marketing, corporate communication, annual reports and in their actions. The concept of sustainability has more recently also been linked to project management. Studies show that considering sustainability should not be regarded a responsibility of just the project sponsor or executive, also the project manager has a strong influence on the sustainability aspects of a project. This paper explores the concept of sustainability and its impact on the competences of the project manager. The paper also reports an analysis of 56 case studies on the integration of the concepts of sustainability in the way organizations initiate, develop and manage projects. This study showed that the average level of sustainability consideration in the actual situation of 25.9%. For the desired situation, this score is almost 10 percent higher, showing an ambition to take sustainability more into consideration. The study also showed that the way sustainability currently is considered in projects, should be categorized as the traditional ‘less bad’ approach to sustainability integration and not a more modern social responsibility approach
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Social issues are becoming increasingly pressing. From dementia to climate change to corona; we as people, citizens, residents and city users - through our own experience or otherwise - have a sense of them. However, truly understanding and addressing these issues is difficult because there is no single owner. Everything is related, intertwined and also changing. Getting an overview and deciding together on necessary steps proves difficult. Complex issues thus become orphaned. Design and more specifically co-design - creative collaboration with others - is increasingly seen as a possible approach to these such issues and collaborations because it can deal with complexity and uncertainty, is optimistic and investigative in nature. With a co-design approach, we can find a shared desire and with that we connect with each other. By then searching together for mechanisms that can lead to the desired values, we gain insights on how to tilt a problematic situation. That enables us to imagine alternative futures. These help us on our way to a better, greener and more social world and social change.
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Hoe kun je de impact van een ontwerpende aanpak op maatschappelijke opgaven versterken? Hoe kan een Programma Ontwerpende Aanpak daaraan bijdragen en wat is daarvoor nodig? Vanuit de ambitie van staatssecretaris Gunay Uslu om de inzet van ontwerp te versterken, is een pilot opgezet onder het penvoerderschap van CLICKNL om tot een meerjarig programmavoorstel te komen. Een team van ontwerpers en onderzoekers ging begin 2023 aan de slag met deze ontwerpopgave. Onze rol als onderzoekers is daarbij ook om te kijken naar wat er al is en scherper te krijgen wat we eigenlijk bedoelen als we het hebben over een ontwerpende aanpak in het kader van maatschappelijke opgaven. Maatschappelijke vraagstukken zijn complex en vaak gekoppeld aan grotere missies en transities op het gebied van o.a. klimaat, energie, landbouw en wonen. Het belang en de impact van deze transities reiken verder dan Nederland. Het zijn multinationale of zelfs mondiale vraagstukken. Wij nemen daarom een kijkje over de grens en gaan op zoek naar andere perspectieven op een ontwerpende aanpak. Hoe doen ze dat eigenlijk in andere landen? En wat kunnen we daarvan leren? Een eerste verkenning binnen ons netwerk leverde verrassende reacties op. In andere landen wordt vaak jaloers naar Nederland gekeken als het erom gaat hoe een ontwerpende aanpak en vooral ontwerpend onderzoek wordt gewaardeerd en gestimuleerd. Op onze beurt refereren wij in Nederland graag naar publicaties van de Design Council in Engeland en zijn we onder de indruk van het werk van het Danish Design Center. Is het gras dan echt altijd groener aan de overkant? Moeten we ons niet juist concentreren op hoe we elkaar aanvullen als het gaat om het samen aanpakken van maatschappelijke opgaven? We gingen in gesprek met een twaalftal onderzoekers, ontwerpers en andere changemakers die werkzaam zijn in Denemarken, Zweden, Engeland (UK) en voor de Europese Unie (EU). En we vroegen naar hun perspectieven op de waarde en rol van een ontwerpende aanpak ten aanzien van maatschappelijke opgaven. In dit stuk brengen we de gesprekken en reflecties samen om een beeld te schetsen van hoe het eraan toegaat in de landen die in onze ogen vooroplopen als het gaat om de toepassing van zo’n ontwerpende aanpak. Ter inspiratie.
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