Dev Dutta is an accomplished Associate Professor of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship at the Peter T Paul College of Business and Economics. He is a design thinking coach and expert (with certifications from MIT, Stanford, IDEO and the LUMA Institute), a United States Association for Small Business & Entrepreneurship (USASBE) Teaching & Learning Scholar, and a Global Mentor at Ideagist, the world’s largest virtual incubator/accelerator. Between 2015-2017, he was Faculty Director of the University Minor on Entrepreneurship and Faculty Fellow at the Peter T Paul University Entrepreneurship Center.
In a recent conversation with Valentina Bulava, marketing professional from the Center for Business Analytics, UNH, Dev Dutta shares insights about his journey, experience, and expectations from working with the Center.
Introduction and Research Background
When it comes to his research and background, Professor Dutta has truly been at the forefront. He has vast knowledge in strategic management, innovation, and entrepreneurship. After working for fifteen years as a strategy consultant and practitioner in a couple of global IT companies, he obtained his doctoral degree from the Ivey Business School Canada, with specializations in strategic management (major) and in Entrepreneurship and International business (dual minors). His research focused on knowledge-based partnerships and collaborations with large companies, Professor Dutta has devoted his academic interest to investigating the advantages that come with collaborations between small and large firms. From faster product development to increased chances of acquisition and successful product launches in the market, his research illuminates the potential benefits for small entrepreneurial firms. Over the years, he expanded the research to explore the concept of entrepreneurial ecosystems and how they are formed, the collaborations that take place within them, and the economic and social factors that influence them. He has also authored numerous papers in top journals in his field, such as Small Business Economics, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, and the International Small Business Journal.
Design thinking
Professor Dutta is a seasoned expert in executive education, particularly in design thinking and creative problem-solving. He conducts workshops for industry professionals and students on developing the innovator mindset and stays updated with the latest developments in design thinking through his extensive worldwide network and partnerships with design thinking experts from around the world, including the United States, Europe, and Asia.
He recently held one such workshop at the Center for Business Analytics. Students were impressed by Dev Dutta’s teaching methods and the topic of design thinking for both their academic and professional projects.
During a conversation with Dev Dutta, we explored the topic of design thinking further, delving into whether business professionals often overlook the true value of design thinking and treat it merely as a buzzword. Professor Dutta acknowledges that such a misconception exists. Although design thinking was originally used as a buzzword, it is, in fact, a powerful problem-solving methodology that emphasizes generating innovative solutions to complex problems. As a human-centered approach embracing empathy, experimentation, and iteration, design thinking is well suited to ideating, exploring, prototyping, and implementing innovation projects in organizations Professor Dutta states that "Design thinking is not a solution to everything, but it can be a powerful tool for tackling complex challenges that require creative and innovative solutions."
One of the many benefits of adopting design thinking, according to Professor Dutta, is that it promotes open-mindedness and helps overcome unconscious biases. It encourages a collaborative and inclusive approach that incorporates multiple perspectives and fosters active interaction among team members. Design thinking also encourages a playful mindset that enables individuals to explore and experiment with ideas without fear of judgment or criticism. By emphasizing the importance of observation and empathy, teams can gain a deeper understanding of the needs and perspectives of end-users or customers. Professor Dutta suggests that “it sharpens our power of observation, and so all of that is very helpful for companies – people may be pleasantly surprised by how many ideas they may actually have within.” Advanced techniques such as abstraction ladder, affinity clustering, importance/difficulty matrix, concept posters and other tools serve as powerful ways for the group to arrive at prototypes, solutions, and build consensus.
When it comes to his teaching methods, Professor Dutta tailors them to the audience. For undergraduate students, he often provides more encouragement or guidance in exploring their ideas during the initial stages. For professionals, he values their experience and insights the latter bring, and he listens closely to their suggestions and selects tools accordingly. He may form teams to focus on specific problems related to their organizations. However, he cautions against forming teams too early, which could lead to close-mindedness. Instead, he first establishes design thinking principles and gets participants into a playful working mode before focusing on organizational problems. “I listen closely to participants' problem identification, offer essential tools, and sometimes mix up teams across organizations,” he says.
As we explore the topic further, a question arises – are there any beliefs or misconceptions about design thinking, specifically about this being a tool for senior management level? Should management encourage strategic thinking within different levels of an organization?
Professor replies: “Design thinking is a powerful tool that can be used by anyone, regardless of age, background, or level of expertise. It can be particularly effective in community workshops, where different ideas and perspectives can be elicited and discussed, leading to a sense of ownership and easier implementation of initiatives.”
He highlights that it's important to recognize that algorithms are guided by perspectives, and if certain voices are not taken into account, the generated patterns may only reflect the majority point of view.
Resources Dev Dutta uses to stay up to date with current trends
Dev Dutta shared his approach to staying updated in the fields of interest. He reminds us that a lot of resources are available online for free, and even though it can be a little overwhelming, it is important to utilize available information.
The second thing for him – being a part of groups on design thinking, for example, on LinkedIn or similar platforms. Many universities also offer short courses, and summer courses, which can help build a community around.
Industries Dev Dutta is interested in for potential work as a Faculty Associate for The Center for Business Analytics
“The areas that I could work on would be relating to Innovation and Design Thinking, and maybe to some extent entrepreneurship as well,” Professor Dutta says. He sees himself working with non-profits or small companies that are startups or that are led by professionals who may not have all the big resources available to large firms.
There could be multiple ways of doing that. One could be providing an overview of design thinking and giving them equal opportunities to utilize design thinking and leaving it at that for them to explore further. Alternatively, it could be an approach with some sort of grouping of ideas and facilitation, where Dev interacts with the user community, comes back with feedback, and then chooses the path forward from there.
Speaking of the potential work with CBA, Dev Dutta says: “Although my background may not be in IT or analytics specifically, I have maintained connections with IT professionals and continue to learn from them. Interacting with students and helping them learn and grow is something I am passionate about, as this is my second career and what I have always wanted to do. I also believe my strength and expertise lie in offering powerful creative problem-solving and collaboration tools that are extremely helpful in a range of operating environments, including user experience design, agile methods, and other IT and analytics-based work environments. I am always eager to contribute in any way I can.”
Advice to students and conclusion
Dev Dutta's philosophy is one of openness, curiosity, and continuous exploration of new ideas and opportunities. He constantly encourages students to be collaborative and fully engaged with their team to reach new heights and possibilities. In addition, he places great importance on finding one's purpose, encouraging individuals to take the time to think about their strengths and values, even if they don't immediately identify a specific path.
Professor Dutta is excited to share his expertise with members of our vibrant community at the Center and looks forward to meeting new members. His dedication to knowledge-sharing and mentorship has had a profound impact on countless students and industry professionals alike. As we continue to expand and grow, we are proud to have Professor Dutta as an integral part of our Faculty Associates team.
