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Design+ Legitimizing design thinking in companies

for strategies that facilitate the continuous implementation development of hypotheses that integrate validity and
of DT in the organizational context. This awareness can reliability approaches, allowing for a deeper understanding
drive efforts to develop more effective integration methods. of the interpersonal processes that play a critical role in
Regarding Hypothesis 4, this paper confirms that having holistic innovation. In terms of practical implications,
a physical space specifically designed for DT activities the paper offers valuable insights for companies seeking
can positively influence the perception and adoption of to innovate and enhance competitiveness. It underscores
DT practices by teams. This hypothesis was the only one the importance of DT in fostering innovation and
where the results were statistically significant, indicating suggests that organizations aiming to remain competitive
that a dedicated physical space had a positive impact on can benefit from its findings. While some statistical
the perception and adoption of DT practices. This finding significance was not achieved for specific hypotheses, the
underscores the importance of investing in physical study highlights the importance of fostering creativity,
environments that support DT activities, providing a clear cultivating an open culture, providing leadership training,
strategy for promoting DT within organizations. It also and creating dedicated physical spaces for DT activities. To
highlights the relevance of creating suitable physical spaces sum up, this paper provides a strong foundation for future
that foster creativity and innovation in companies. research in DT adoption and its impact on innovation and
organizational performance.
Overall, the legitimacy of adopting DT within
organizations can be achieved through a combination Future research opportunities include extending this
of factors: increasing creative confidence, promoting a study to small- and medium-sized businesses to explore
culture of openness and feedback, providing leadership how organizational culture, organizational climate,
training in DT, and creating a dedicated physical space employee–supervisor relationships, and workplace
for DT. While the study did not conclusively prove environments influence DT adoption. Comparative studies
differences in creative confidence between the teams, it across different countries could provide insights into cross-
is evident that both teams recognized the importance of cultural variations in DT adoption. Furthermore, in-depth
creativity. Encouraging employees to explore creative research into the link between employee attitudes, beliefs,
approaches – regardless of whether statistically significant and emotions and the success of DT implementation is
differences are observed – can foster a more innovative essential. Emphasizing the role of empathy, as Elsbach and
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work environment. Fostering a culture that encourages Stigliani highlighted, future research should examine
openness to innovation and feedback is essential. Although how empathy contributes to organizational cultural values
the study did not find statistically significant differences in of collaboration and user focus. It should also consider
the culture between teams, it highlights the importance these aspects from an individual perspective and explore
of creating an environment where open communication the micro-foundations of DT.
and the exchange of ideas are actively encouraged. Having 5.1. Contributions to theory and practice
leaders trained in DT is crucial. Leaders who understand
and support creative and problem-solving approaches can This paper contributes to the development of more robust
positively influence collaboration, idea generation, and approaches for advancing methods and processes for DT
the overall adoption of DT within their teams. Finally, adoption in organizations. Companies aiming to innovate
the presence of a dedicated physical space designed for and become more competitive will benefit from the findings
DT activities has a significant impact on the perception of this research. Innovation is essential to the construction
and adoption of DT practices by teams. Investing in and evolution of brands seeking to stand out in the market,
such a space can tangibly demonstrate the organization’s with DT playing a pivotal role in this process. In addition,
commitment to innovation and creativity. By addressing this study increases the visibility of DT in various business
these factors collectively, organizations can work toward sectors, leading to better-informed professionals.
legitimizing the adoption of DT both on individual and This research also aimed to provide essential insights
social levels within their structures. This holistic approach into the validity of DT in organizations. It offered a solid
acknowledges the importance of physical resources, theoretical foundation to address the adoption of DT in
leadership support, cultural values, and individual creative organizations, exploring several dimensions that influence
confidence in successfully integrating DT practices into its legitimacy, including national culture, organizational
the organization. climate, the quality of relationships between employees
The paper makes a significant contribution to both and supervisors, and the organizational environment.
theory and practice in the context of organizational This study contributes to answering the question of which
DT adoption. One of the notable contributions is the factors affect the acceptance and adoption of DT.

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 15 doi: 10.36922/dp.4292