In contemporary innovation management, companies increasingly dissolve their internal boundaries to leverage potentials from the outside world by creating synergies for the development of new technical solutions, for example through the reception of key incentives provided by lead users. Such processes of open innovation have remained relatively unexplored from the part of various authors and their theories on problem-solving. One such example serving as the basis for this thesis is the adaptive toolbox by Gerd Gigerenzer, focusing on individual behaviour under limited knowledge in a certain environment and cognitive mechanisms called heuristics, used daily by human beings to avoid or overcome complications.
In this context, the centrepiece of this work is the answer to the question of which heuristics do individuals deploy in an open innovation environment and how these techniques can be categorized. Therefore, a qualitative attitude survey was realized for the accomplishment of this task, what additionally involved the conduction of semi-structured interviews at the FabLab laboratory for open innovation and an extensive content analysis afterwards.
In terms of the results, five different approaches were detected in the given setting and specifically classified according to the individual motives mentioned by the subjects from the sample. In addition, the categories “heuristic” and “frequency” support the categorization by allowing a listing and a preliminary quantification of the heuristics.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 The adaptive toolbox
1.2 Motivation
1.3 Outline
2. Background
2.1 Open laboratories and open innovation activities
2.2 The adaptive toolbox
2.2.1 Fast and frugal heuristics
2.2.2 Ecological rationality and domain-specificity
2.3 Assignment of the concept to visions of rationality
2.3.1 Comparison with demons
2.3.2 Comparison with bounded rationality
3. Methodological approach
3.1 The research question
3.2 Formalised research design
3.2.1 The environment
3.2.1.1 Description of the FabLab in Nuremberg
3.2.1.2 Description of the OpenLab in the FabLab
3.2.1.3 Evaluation of the suitability of the FabLab and the OpenLab event for research on heuristics
3.2.2 Explorative and qualitative measures
3.2.2.1 The semi-structured interview
3.2.2.2 The transcription
4. Results of the data analysis
4.1 Profiling of the sample
4.2 Evaluation of the environment
4.3 Classification of the heuristics
5. Discussion – the significance of this explorative attitude survey
5.1 Limitations
5.2 Opportunities for future research
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This thesis investigates how individuals apply cognitive mechanisms known as heuristics to navigate complex problem-solving tasks within open innovation environments. By conducting a qualitative attitude survey at the FabLab in Nuremberg, the study aims to identify the specific heuristics deployed by participants and to establish a typology that categorizes these techniques based on individual motives.
- Application of the "Adaptive Toolbox" approach by Gerd Gigerenzer in a practical innovation context.
- Exploration of heuristics as fast and frugal alternatives to complex computational problem-solving.
- Analysis of the relationship between environmental structures and individual cognitive decision-making processes.
- Categorization of observed problem-solving techniques using empirical interview data.
- Evaluation of the significance of heuristics for strategic R&D management.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 The adaptive toolbox
As hinted in the introduction, the theory behind the adaptive toolbox concerns itself with a set of numerous heuristics, whose task is to support individuals at adapting themselves to the social and physical circumstances of an environment (Gigerenzer & Todd, 1999).
In principle, one can imagine the mentioned heuristics as shortcuts simplifying the trains of thought in a situation where resources like time and knowledge are scarce and a quick decision is forced (Gigerenzer, 2003). According to Johnson & Payne (1985; Gigerenzer & Todd, 1999), the pursuit of success also belongs to the influential external factors.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the core concepts of heuristics and the adaptive toolbox, establishing the thesis's motivation and research outline.
2. Background: Provides the theoretical framework, detailing open innovation laboratories, Gigerenzer’s adaptive toolbox, and comparisons with various visions of rationality.
3. Methodological approach: Explains the research design, including the choice of qualitative methods like semi-structured interviews at the FabLab to answer the research question.
4. Results of the data analysis: Presents the gathered data, covering the profiles of interviewees, their perception of the environment, and the classification of detected heuristics.
5. Discussion – the significance of this explorative attitude survey: Evaluates the study's findings, acknowledges methodological limitations, and suggests paths for future scientific research.
Key Words
Heuristics, Open Innovation, Adaptive Toolbox, Ecological Rationality, Bounded Rationality, FabLab, Qualitative Research, Decision-making, Problem-solving, Cognitive Mechanisms, Innovation Management, Attitude Survey, Individual Motives, Semi-structured Interviews, Practical Competencies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
The work investigates the use of heuristics—simple mental shortcuts—by individuals engaged in open innovation activities at a FabLab, examining how these cognitive tools assist in solving practical problems under limited resources.
What are the primary themes discussed in the study?
Central themes include the "adaptive toolbox" theory, the interplay between environmental structures and human cognition, the practical challenges of open innovation, and the categorization of heuristic-based problem-solving strategies.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The research aims to identify which specific heuristics individuals deploy in open innovation environments and to propose a structured typology for categorizing these techniques based on the users' underlying motives.
Which methodology does the author use?
The author employs a qualitative, explorative attitude survey, involving semi-structured interviews with 10 participants at the FabLab in Nuremberg, followed by a systematic content analysis of the transcriptions.
What topics are covered in the main section of the thesis?
The main section covers the theoretical grounding of heuristics, the description of the FabLab environment, the methodology, the analysis of gathered interview data, and a critical discussion of the results and their implications.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key concepts include heuristics, open innovation, adaptive toolbox, ecological rationality, bounded rationality, decision-making, and qualitative research.
How does the FabLab environment influence the choice of heuristics?
The study suggests that the FabLab acts as an "ecologically rational" environment where technical accessibility and peer knowledge sharing support individuals in employing heuristics to bypass complex calculations, thereby saving time and resources.
What were the main categories of heuristics identified?
The heuristics were categorized into five types: outside-in heuristic, agile development, individual parametrisation (harmonizing secondary or primary sources), DIY-heuristic, and mediation, sorted by motives like experience, reduction of complexity, and scarcity of resources.
Does the study confirm that heuristics are error-prone?
No, the study invalidates the common misconception that heuristics are error-prone; instead, it demonstrates that individuals consciously use them as efficient, sufficient, and rational tools for complex problems.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Axel Capalbo (Autor:in), 2016, Heuristics in Open Innovation Activities. An Explorative Attitude Survey, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1010166
