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Design+

ARTICLE
Legitimizing design thinking: Addressing

barriers to corporate adoption

Mariana Passadouro * , Rui Patrício 1,2 , and Joaquim Casaca 1
1
1 UNIDCOM/IADE – Research Unit in Design and Communication, IADE – Faculty of Design,
Technology and Communication, European University, Lisbon, Portugal
2 GOVCOPP and DEGEIT – Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and
Tourism, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

Abstract
The design domain has long been recognized as a source of value creation, with
a recent paradigm shift in both academic and practitioner circles conceptualizing
design as a comprehensive innovation management practice. Design thinking
(DT) has gained prominence for fostering engagement and confidence in creative
processes. However, outcomes can be influenced by various factors and conditions,
making direct attribution to DT challenging. While organizational maturity can
impact DT implementation, this relationship is complex and warrants further
investigation. More in-depth research and appropriate methodologies are needed
to assist organizations in establishing the legitimacy of DT, acknowledging that
legitimacy often derives from the perceived quality of work outcomes, which is
*Corresponding author: inherently subjective. Therefore, it is essential to develop more objective criteria and
Mariana Passadouro
(rui.patricio@ evaluation methods to provide a clearer and more reliable basis for assessing the
universidadeeuropeia.pt) success and impact of DT initiatives. This paper addresses the need for legitimacy
Citation: Passadouro M, Patrício R, in adopting DT as an innovation strategy, with a focus on both individual and
Casaca J. Legitimizing design social structural perspectives. Drawing on organizational workplace theories and
thinking: Addressing barriers to employee perceptions, we developed and tested hypotheses to overcome barriers to
corporate adoption. Design+.
2025;2(1):4292. the adoption of DT. Although based on a small sample size, our study offers valuable
doi: 10.36922/dp.4292 insights into the factors influencing DT adoption within organizations. Using a quasi-
experimental approach, we examined how organizational practices, leadership, and
Received: July 20, 2024
physical spaces affect the legitimacy and widespread adoption of DT. By assessing
Revised: January 6, 2025 both qualitative and quantitative indicators, we combined participant feedback
Accepted: January 21, 2025 with observable behaviors for a more comprehensive evaluation. Recognizing the
subjectivity of legitimacy measurement, we enhanced our approach by integrating
Published online: February 17,
2025 multiple data sources. This study lays the groundwork for future research, refining
legitimacy assessments and investigating the long-term impact of DT adoption. We
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article hope our findings inspire further exploration of additional variables that influence
distributed under the terms the success of DT across diverse organizational contexts.
of the Creative Commons
AttributionNoncommercial License,
permitting all non-commercial use, Keywords: Design thinking; Legitimacy; Innovation management
distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original work
is properly cited.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with 1. Introduction
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional The significance of design as a source of value creation has been explored for decades.
affiliations. Design thinking (DT) has emerged as a key driver of innovation, sparking growing

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 1 doi: 10.36922/dp.4292