The New Service Design Thinking Thematic Module

The Faculty of Technology and the School of Economics of the University of Turku are providing the new thematic module on Service Design Thinking to master students starting Fall of 2023.

Learning Goals of the Thematic Module

Design thinking is a problem solving method and a mindset that is applicable not only in design problems but also in business innovation. Design thinking solutions are needed in the transforming society with high demand for enhanced quality of life and sophisticated business and societal innovation and they should address the core human activities and experiences encompassing technological breakthroughs. Massive collaboration with experts in diverse disciplines is inevitable. Leaders for transformation of various traditional manufacturing and other businesses and realization of new services and business models through data and information streams are seriously needed. The Service Design Thinking thematic module will prepare master students in Mechanical Engineering and other Faculty of Technology students as well as those in the School of Economics as such leaders equipped with (1) design thinking and perspectives of service-dominant logic and experience economy as well as (2) sustainable and social innovation leadership and (3) understanding of consumers, customers, users and human centricity.

Specific Learning Outcome

Students will be equipped with combined capabilities including the following:

• Students will understand design thinking process and mindset as a problem solving method with perspectives of service-dominant logic and experience economy. Students can design products and services with consideration of human activities and experiences.
• Students will be equipped with skills and understanding for product-service systems as a key driver for future manufacturing business and for diverse human, societal and environmental values. Students can identify diverse values and design product-service systems and business models.
• Students will understand the value and opportunities of social and sustainable innovation, appreciate key competencies required for entrepreneurial success, and be able to make judgments on successful entrepreneurship.
• Students can apply basic knowledge of consumer behavior in design and understand the importance of consumer understanding as a foundation for market-oriented operations and design.

Courses of the Thematic Module 

Design Thinking (5 ECTS)

Product-Service Systems Design (5 ECTS)

Applied Social and Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship (5 ECTS)

Consumer Behavior (6 ECTS)

Inquiries: Professor Yong Se Kim, yongse.kim@utu.fi