Design Artifacts: Understanding how Entrepreneurs use Artifacts during Opportunity Development

Abstract

Design research recognizes the relational and temporal dimensions inherent(ly relevant) to new venture creation, and these aspects receive increasing attention in entrepreneurship research. The current study examines how entrepreneurs use artifacts during early stages of opportunity development from a design perspective. To do so we draw on insights from previous research on artifacts in entrepreneurship studies and apply them to a qualitative study of longitudinal data. This was collected in the form of weekly diary reports from thirteen during a one-year program in a business incubation setting. By identifying seven distinct roles in which entrepreneurs employ artifacts in interaction with relevant stakeholders, a design model of opportunity development as artifact-based problem-solving is derived. The results of our study provide a more nuanced understanding of which and why artifacts are used by entrepreneurs during opportunity development, advance our understanding of the way in which artifacts facilitate the co-creation of entrepreneurial opportunities as well as offer practitioners with concrete illustrations on how to consciously use artifacts for successful opportunity development.