Design Science

Design science lays the basis for designing the framework. Design science aims to contribute to scientific knowledge while simultaneously solving a relevant problem in practice. A four-step design cycle is performed iteratively. The design science research cycle suggests four iterative steps where design principles play a central role (see figure on the right):

• Exploration: investigate the context, define the problem, and collect theoretical and empirical material.

• Synthesis: make sense of the collected data, use induction and abduction to distil design principles.

• Creation: design the artifact (solution design) guided by the principles.

• Evaluation: test the artifact, observe outcomes, and refine both the artifact and principles.

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Thus, besides a design solution as an important outcome of a design study, design principles are proposed to ensure that the findings of one design process are also applicable to another. ​​​Design principles include a clear set of thoughtful ideas and suggestions based on research used to create design solutions, which are formulated based on theory and form the basis for a solution design. ​In my study, I applied a combination of a theory- and practice-driven approach. That means I used insights from both theory and practice to formulate design principles and create a design solution.

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Exploration

In the exploration step, I performed a theoretical and empirical study. For the theoretical study, part of the theory-driven approach,
I collected and analyzed theoretical data by performing a systematic literature review. ​For the empirical study, part of the practice-driven approach, I gathered from practice by performing a multiple case study. I performed a multiple-case study to investigate what successful approaches for sustainability impact assessments were employed by VC practitioners at that moment in time. It helped to better understand sustainability in the entrepreneurship and venture capital context by investigating it across various cases and discovering patterns, similarities, variations, and differences.​​​​​​​

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Synthesis

In the synthesis step, I synthesized the information collected in the previous steps through inductive and abductive sensemaking to formulate design principles and requirements.

 

Creation

In the creation step, I designed the solution design based on these design principles and requirements. The main activities in this step included ideation, conceptualization, and prototyping.

 

Evaluation

In the last step, evaluation, I tested the practical value of the solution design in a highly iterative manner through experimentation and prototyping. I performed alpha tests to validate that the solution met the design principles and requirements. ​The beta tests aimed to identify if the solution design was workable, attainable, and clear to end users. Based on this evaluation, I adapted the earlier developed design principles to ensure that my insights can also support other design scientists.