Innovating for Sustainability: Using problem Based Research to Explore a Business Idea
Authors
Rosengren, Thomas ; Butzbach, Annika
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2020
Submitted on
2020-06-17
Pages
103
Abstract
This thesis investigates the need for and design of a business idea: an online platform to help companies collaborate, share knowledge, find partners, and receive guidance for implementing sustainability. Using a problem‑based research approach and a Design Thinking orientation, the study conducted 23 semi‑structured interviews with diverse stakeholders; COVID‑19 constraints meant interviews became the primary data source. The empirical material was processed through a bricolage approach and analyzed using a theoretical framework of virtual embeddedness and sustainability‑oriented innovation, complemented by a literature review and a scan of existing platforms and business networks. Findings indicate that companies frequently lack an overview and access to relevant solutions and information, face resource‑intensive processes, exhibit varying maturity levels, and struggle to locate suitable collaborators. Existing services and physical networks deliver value but are fragmented and resource‑demanding; benefits often depend on individual networking capacity and collaborative focus can be limited. A platform that combines an online community, targeted matchmaking, open calls, and curated information and guidance appears able to address key gaps while complementing physical networks through partnerships. Challenges include trust‑building, firms’ digital readiness, dependence on user‑generated content, and member verification. Overall, the study concludes there is clear need and potential for the platform to strengthen inter‑organizational collaboration and create a foundation for sustainability‑oriented, potentially systemic, innovation—while recognizing that most tangible sustainability outcomes will occur beyond the platform itself. The thesis also reflects on applying an academic, problem‑based lens to an entrepreneurial venture: it added structure and critical insight but slowed the typically fast, experimental pace.
Dette speciale undersøger behovet for og udformningen af en forretningsidé: en online platform, der skal hjælpe virksomheder med at samarbejde, dele viden, finde partnere og få vejledning i at implementere bæredygtighed. Med en problembaseret forskningsansats og et Design Thinking-greb gennemførtes 23 semistrukturerede interviews med forskellige interessenter; COVID-19 betød, at interviews blev den primære datakilde. Empirien blev bearbejdet via bricolage og analyseret gennem en teoretisk ramme bestående af virtual embeddedness og sustainability‑oriented innovation, suppleret af litteraturstudier og en kortlægning af eksisterende platforme og erhvervsnetværk. Analysen viser, at virksomheder ofte mangler overblik og adgang til relevante løsninger og information, kæmper med ressourcekrav, har varierende modenhed i arbejdet med bæredygtighed og har svært ved at finde passende samarbejdspartnere. Eksisterende tjenester og fysiske netværk skaber værdi, men er fragmenterede og ressourcekrævende; udbyttet afhænger ofte af den enkeltes netværkskompetencer, og samarbejdsfokus kan være begrænset. En platform, der kombinerer online community, målrettet matchmaking, open calls samt kurateret information og vejledning, vurderes at kunne afhjælpe centrale behov og samtidig supplere fysiske netværk gennem partnerskaber. Udfordringer omfatter tillidsopbygning, virksomheders digitale parathed, afhængighed af brugergenereret indhold og verifikation af medlemmer. Overordnet peger resultaterne på et klart behov og potentiale for platformen til at styrke interorganisatorisk samarbejde og skabe et afsæt for bæredygtighedsorienteret, potentielt systemisk, innovation—om end de konkrete effekter primært vil materialisere sig uden for selve platformen. Specialet reflekterer desuden over værdien og omkostningerne ved at anvende en akademisk, problembaseret tilgang i en iværksætterproces: den skabte struktur og kritisk dybde, men sænkede den normalt hurtige, eksperimentelle fremdrift.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]