Published on 02 May 2018
Spain
Andalucía
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About this good practice
This programme aims to foster the city youth capacities linked to innovation, while solving social and economic issues. The approach is bottom-up and top down, as the challenges can be proposed bi-directionnally. It led to a really fruitful collaboration between highly qualified multidisciplinary students and 13 members of different shops located in Altza neighbourhood, which was specially affected by the crisis, and counts one of the highest unemployment rates of the city, one of the lowest education city levels, etc.
For the 2017 edition, Altza´s merchants association proposed to work with the merchants of the neighbourhood in a knowledge transfer programme, trying to open the merchant´s minds and give them access to all the possibilities and beneficies that digitalizing their business could offer.
Different dynamics were organized between the two groups, in order to make them know each other, have a clear idea about the nature and current situations, as well as identify a proper itinerary to help merchants from Altza. The methodology used was also important, as Design Thinking steps were applied to solve the matter: this aspect also gave an important new insight both to the merchants and to the students.
Students multidisciplinarity was a key success factor, as they were able to provide different solutions to the merchants: new business models, marketing strategies, data analysis procedures to have better selling strategies, payments through dataphones, etc.
For the 2017 edition, Altza´s merchants association proposed to work with the merchants of the neighbourhood in a knowledge transfer programme, trying to open the merchant´s minds and give them access to all the possibilities and beneficies that digitalizing their business could offer.
Different dynamics were organized between the two groups, in order to make them know each other, have a clear idea about the nature and current situations, as well as identify a proper itinerary to help merchants from Altza. The methodology used was also important, as Design Thinking steps were applied to solve the matter: this aspect also gave an important new insight both to the merchants and to the students.
Students multidisciplinarity was a key success factor, as they were able to provide different solutions to the merchants: new business models, marketing strategies, data analysis procedures to have better selling strategies, payments through dataphones, etc.
Resources needed
The programme is coordinated by the University of the Basque Country in collaboration with Fomento San Sebastián, the city local economic development agency. As this is a university programme that is also integrated in the city strategy, the main resources needed are Human resources.
Evidence of success
Intensive work from february to may 2017
10 students
13 merchants
Digitalization process is quite easy to implement in small businesses
The 13 merchants introduced innovative concepts in their businesses.
Students access to the reality of business.
This is a first step to keep working and improving some of the areas more affected by the crisis and have a real impact through innovation
10 students
13 merchants
Digitalization process is quite easy to implement in small businesses
The 13 merchants introduced innovative concepts in their businesses.
Students access to the reality of business.
This is a first step to keep working and improving some of the areas more affected by the crisis and have a real impact through innovation
Potential for learning or transfer
The potential transfer to other cities is really high, as we have created an impact model, with every step really well established, with every detail specified. Nevertheless, the following conditions are very important in order to successfully achieve the transfer and implementation in another city:
- Build credibility and raise awareness. Successful implementation depends on the engagement of stakeholders. They must be involved from the beginning, and the challenge proposed must be relevant and appealing. A previous sound relation with the relevant stakeholders is an advantage (in this case with the university and the merchants association). At the same time participants need to commit themselves, and demonstrate it (resources…)
- It is an excellent way to introduce innovative concept among the civil society, as the success of applying the Design Thinking methodology showed.
- Build credibility and raise awareness. Successful implementation depends on the engagement of stakeholders. They must be involved from the beginning, and the challenge proposed must be relevant and appealing. A previous sound relation with the relevant stakeholders is an advantage (in this case with the university and the merchants association). At the same time participants need to commit themselves, and demonstrate it (resources…)
- It is an excellent way to introduce innovative concept among the civil society, as the success of applying the Design Thinking methodology showed.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
University of the Basque Country
Spain
País Vasco
Contact
Project Manager