Development of a culture-based support method for creativity in distributed product development

Understanding the impact of cultural diversity on team creativity is essential as global business operations evolve. This research is motivated by the increasing number of distributed teams in product development and the need to increase their creative potential amidst cultural differences. Using the Design Research Methodology (DRM) to structure this research systematically, this contribution aims to explore cultural factors influencing creativity, define specific requirements for supporting creativity in multicultural environments, and develop a method for supporting creative problem-solving in these contexts. The resulting Cultural Synergy Spectrum Method addresses these aspects by integrating tools from methodologies like the Nominal Group Technique and De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats. Initial validations of this method, through practical applications and expert feedback, highlight its strengths in fostering intercultural understanding and collaboration while identifying areas for improvement. These findings underline the importance of systematically addressing cultural factors to enhance the creativity of distributed product development teams. This contribution emphasizes the role of integrating cultural considerations into product development processes, adding to the field of intercultural team management and creative problem-solving in a global context.