Hospital innovation process and organization evolution: From design thinking workshops to innovation outcomes

Design Thinking (DT) has been presented as a promising approach to developing innovative healthcare solutions. However, there exists a gap between understanding how to implement a DT approach at the organizational level and its connection to other innovation-management strategies. Using a longitudinal case study methodology, the study analyses an hospital with history of implementing DT as a comprehensive organizational approach to innovation for over six years. Data were collected through interviews, participant observations, and documents. Results indicate that DT supported the organizational culture transformation towards innovation and the dissemination of innovation practices across diverse areas and hierarchical levels. In addition, the study presents how DT can be implemented along with other project-management strategies to achieve better business and innovation outcomes. It is suggested that healthcare managers can use DT to enhance innovation-related business outcomes, and the hospital innovation process model may serve as a reference for healthcare institutions intending to develop innovation capabilities.