From theories to tools: Calling for research on technological innovation informed by design science

Abstract

Most studies published in Technovation adopt a theory-driven approach toward empirical phenomena. In this editorial, we call for a more instrumental approach, one that effectively serves the needs of practitioners in the field of technological innovation as well as scholars seeking to increase their impact on innovation practice. In this respect, design science (DS) methodologies have emerged in various adjacent domains such as information systems, operations management, and entrepreneurship. Inspired by Simon's “The Sciences of the Artificial”, DS operates at the interface of problem-solving design and explanatory science to create and test solutions as artifacts. Whereas DS work can result in various kinds of artifacts, tools for practitioners are the most promising ones. We first provide several examples of DS work resulting in widely used tools and then identify various challenges in the technological innovation domain that call for tools addressing these challenges. Subsequently, we provide practical guidance on how to prepare manuscripts about designing and testing tools which are likely to have a major impact on practice.