Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Publication
    Does method matter? : An experiment on collaborative business model idea generation in teams
    (eContent Management Pty Ltd, 2012-09) ;
    Hoffmann, Friederike
    The development of new business models presents a critical and demanding task for organizations. Among other things, the task requires effective divergent and convergent group processes. A growing body of theoretical literature and empirical evidence shows that artifacts can support collaboration, creativity, and innovation in groups. Such artifacts include visual templates, physical objects, and sketches. Based on existing theories on idea generation and boundary objects, this proposal explains how artifacts can facilitate the development of new business model ideas in teams. Specifically, this paper hypothesizes that artifacts have an impact on perceived group collaboration, perceived creativity, and the decision to adopt a new business model idea. The model was tested with an initial experimental study with managers who were asked to develop innovative business models for a daily newspaper, working under one of three different conditions. The subjects worked in groups and were assigned to either: (1) an empty PowerPoint slide (control group); (2) physical objects combined with sketching; or (3) a visual business model template in a software environment. The results of this pilot study indicate that using a digital visual business model template significantly increases perceived collaboration and actually decreases perceived creativity and the willingness to adopt the business model idea generated. Physical objects combined with sketching do not yield results distinct from the control condition of filling out an empty slide. These results provide initial empirical evidence that artifacts have the power to shape the group process of developing new business models, and that the proposed model can capture relevant dimensions of how they affect such a process.
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  • Publication
    Does method matter? An experiment on collaborative business model idea generation in teams
    (eContent Management, 2012-09) ;
    Hoffmann, Friederike
    The development of new business models presents a critical and demanding task for organizations. Among other things, the task requires effective divergent and convergent group processes. A growing body of theoretical literature and empirical evidence shows that artifacts can support collaboration, creativity, and innovation in groups. Such artifacts include visual templates, physical objects, and sketches. Based on existing theories on idea generation and boundary objects, this proposal explains how artifacts can facilitate the development of new business model ideas in teams. Specifically, this paper hypothesizes that artifacts have an impact on perceived group collaboration, perceived creativity, and the decision to adopt a new business model idea. The model was tested with an initial experimental study with managers who were asked to develop innovative business models for a daily newspaper, working under one of three different conditions. The subjects worked in groups and were assigned to either: (1) an empty PowerPoint slide (control group); (2) physical objects combined with sketching; or (3) a visual business model template in a software environment. The results of this pilot study indicate that using a digital visual business model template significantly increases perceived collaboration and actually decreases perceived creativity and the willingness to adopt the business model idea generated. Physical objects combined with sketching do not yield results distinct from the control condition of filling out an empty slide. These results provide initial empirical evidence that artifacts have the power to shape the group process of developing new business models, and that the proposed model can capture relevant dimensions of how they affect such a process.
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  • Publication
    New Business Models Through Collaborative Idea Generation
    (World Scientific Publ., 2011-12-01) ;
    Hoffmann, Friederike
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    Generating novel and sustainable business model ideas is a crucial yet challenging innovation task. A growing body of literature shows that artefacts, such as visual templates, objects and sketches, can enhance team collaboration and creativity in innovation activities. Drawing on literature from diverse fields we propose a model that aims to explain how artefacts can affect the team processes in developing new business model ideas, positing that they have an impact on creativity and collaboration. We report the results of an illustrative experimental study comparing the team processes of managers working on a business model innovation task. Teams were supported by different types of artefacts (a business model template; physical objects with sketching; or PowerPoint). The results indicate that using the template significantly increases perceived collaboration and decreases perceived creativity, hence showing that artefacts can have the power to shape team work for innovation tasks.
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    Scopus© Citations 116
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  • Publication
    Navicons for collaboration: Navigating and augmenting discussions through visual annotations
    (IEEE Computer Society, 2015-07-23) ;
    Hoffmann, Michael H.G.
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    As discussions move online, we need means that compensate for what we take for granted in face-to-face meetings: voice modulation, mimics, or gestures. There are three functions of these ‘metadiscoursive' expressions: 1) to navigate conversations and to direct the attention of our interlocutors, deciding what to discuss, reviewing what has been said, or how things are framed 2) to signal attitudes such as agreement or disagreement, or the level of certainty or commitment and 3) to annotate (visual) content with comments. These functions are crucial for the quality of discussions and can benefit from information visualization. To do this, we propose a classification of navigational moves and attitudes and their visual representation in form of "Navicons" and "Atticons". These icons help to improve the quality of online or face to face discussions, to plan conversations in advance, or to analyze past discussions. An example and outlook conclude the paper.
    Scopus© Citations 5
  • Publication
    Sketching at Work : a guide to visual problem solving and communication for managers, consultants, sales professionals, trainers and facilitators
    (Institute for Media and Communication Management (mcm), 2010) ;
    Pfister, Roland
    Sketching at Work is a concise guide to useful and flexible sketching (or hand drawing) techniques for different professional contexts. These ad-hoc diagrams or visual metaphors can be drawn individually or in groups on a flipchart, piece of paper, poster, or through Tablet PCs or interactive whiteboards. They help to clarify issues, guide discussions, organize information, facilitate planning and analysis, or simply communicate in a more engaging and memorable way. In this guide, you will learn how to use sketching when: - conducting a meeting - coordinating a project team - selling a product or service - analyzing a problem - negotiating a contract - improving a business process - planning a project, task or event - and many other contexts.