I had the opportunity to hear Professor Armand Hatchuel present the C-K theory at Copenhagen Business School last week.
"The C-K theory’s central proposition is a formal distinction between "concept" (C) and "knowledge" (K). This distinction allows to identify the singularity of "design" when compared to probelm solving/finding approaches or other standard forms of reasoning."
According to Hatchuels theory innovation can be systematic, controlled and managed when it seperates conceptual thinking (creativity…) and knowledge. In a complete process the work goes from C to K and back again. Current knowledge will set the context for conceptual work, to force creativity and the conceptualization of what does not (yet) exist and the conceptual work will force new knowledge to be developed and diverse resources to be involved in the project.
I believe that the theory is a rather abstract but very interesting and while being academic it is used in Renault and have been used to create Mg-CO2 engines fo Mars exploration. Maybe there something to it?
One comment so far
I had the opportunity to discuss it with Professor Hatchuel, slightly before the date of this post. I agree with you that C-K sounded to me like really onto something, by far one of the most convincing attempt I’ve seen in the direction of a Design Theory with a big T.
I haven’t heard much about it recently though. Maybe you did?
Great blog BTW.