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Systems, Design, and Entrepreneurial Thinking: Comparative Frameworks

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Abstract

The philosophies of design thinking, entrepreneurial thinking, and systems thinking have widespread application in diverse fields. However, due to the inherently abstract rhetoric and lack of commonly accepted frameworks, these philosophies are often considered buzzwords and fads. This article deconstructs the rhetoric and literature from leaders of these three philosophies and identifies their fundamental tenets. A conceptual framework that captures the differences and convergences between design thinking, entrepreneurial thinking, and systems thinking is presented. A series of four case studies derived from diverse settings like healthcare, agriculture, and social networks further illustrate these interconnections. The article argues that the emergent integration of these philosophies, as captured in the fundamental tenets, presents the most compelling opportunities for the practical application of these theoretical frameworks.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank members of the iSPACES venture within the Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship program at the Pennsylvania State University for their assistance in this project.

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  1. Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) Program, The Pennsylvania State University, 213U Hammond Bldg, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Samir Patel & Khanjan Mehta

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  1. Samir Patel
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Correspondence to Khanjan Mehta.

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Patel, S., Mehta, K. Systems, Design, and Entrepreneurial Thinking: Comparative Frameworks. Syst Pract Action Res 30, 515–533 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-016-9404-5

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