Design-Thinking As A Management Tool: An Exercise For Building Students’ Innovation and Problem-Solving Skills

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Keywords: Design-thinking, Innovation, Remote work

Abstract: Design-thinking is an emerging approach to innovation and decision-making that is a particularly useful tool for managers to create solutions for employee-related challenges. A structured approach to innovation and problem-solving evolving from product design methods, design-thinking focuses on the end-user. For managers developing policies and practices in employee management, design-thinking suggests understanding employee needs and perspectives can enhance the managerial decision-making process. This session will introduce participants to the design-thinking process and provide an activity related to designing remote and hybrid work practices to help students practice empathy skills needed for the design-thinking approach while exploring New Ways of Working.