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Design Science Dissertation Database
In this database you will find several design science dissertations written by or under the supervision of members of the DS:E community.
Please click on the pictures to read the abstract and to find the link to the dissertation website of the respective university.
Funding in Digital Entrepreneurship
Hor, Shoon Chan (Timothy) (2024) How to acquire financial resources beyond seed funding in digital entrepreneurship: A study informed by design science. PhD thesis, Queensland University of Technology.
Description:
Eighty to 85% of seed-funded startups fail to secure their Series A funding. This 'Series A Crunch' significantly contributes to why many digital startups die. Rooted in Design Science scholarship, this thesis addresses this systemic challenge by offering actionable knowledge for entrepreneurs raising Series A or post-seed funding. Integrating existing literature and practice knowledge, it proposes three design principles and a process model, validated through case studies with entrepreneurs and investors. From these principles, a capital-raising canvas and training workshop were created and tested, bridging the gap between academic theory and practice, and reinforcing the impact of solution-oriented entrepreneurship research.
Link to dissertation is below:
Description:
Eighty to 85% of seed-funded startups fail to secure their Series A funding. This 'Series A Crunch' significantly contributes to why many digital startups die. Rooted in Design Science scholarship, this thesis addresses this systemic challenge by offering actionable knowledge for entrepreneurs raising Series A or post-seed funding. Integrating existing literature and practice knowledge, it proposes three design principles and a process model, validated through case studies with entrepreneurs and investors. From these principles, a capital-raising canvas and training workshop were created and tested, bridging the gap between academic theory and practice, and reinforcing the impact of solution-oriented entrepreneurship research.
Link to dissertation is below:
Impact Investment for Startups
Impact Investment for Startups: Conceptualization and Design Support for Impact Assessment.
Abstract (englisch):
This thesis endeavors to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between impact investing and the unique challenges faced by impact-driven startups. Accounting for the ever-present liability of newness and smallness of startups, the thesis provides pathways to minimize the liability of impact intransparency. This thesis employs a multi-method approach: Ten explorative interviews with investors, consultants, and startups are complemented with a survey of 69 impact investors to understand the criteria for identifying and investing in impact-driven startups. A network analysis of the German impact investor network builds on the previous findings. Additionally, 25 semi-structured interviews with impact-driven startups pinpoint the startups’ point of view on impact assessment and measurement practices. A design science approach concludes the empirical findings via 20 semi-structured interviews with experts in impact investing and sustainable innovation, user testing with three impact-driven startups, qualitative evaluation via seven experts in impact investing and sustainable innovation, and a focus group workshop with six researchers from the field of impact investing and sustainable innovation. The first part points out a gap between the fundamental impact investing goals toward a sustainable future and the current impact assessment practices, highlighting the tendency of homophily by impact investors. These findings are complemented by exploring startup requirements and considering challenges such as scalability, resource constraints, and data availability. The second part synthesizes research to propose and validate four design principles via a design instantiation for impact assessment and measurement of startups.
Consequently, this thesis adds an empirical perspective to the limited research about impact investing and entrepreneurship. It emphasizes the theoretical relevance of conflicting goals, social learning, and information asymmetry in the interconnection of impact investors and impact-driven startups. Further, it contributes to the ongoing debate about startups' legitimacy in relation to sustainability. The findings highlight the necessity of translating impact goals into tangible criteria that can be measured at the output level to strengthen the legitimacy of an impact claim.
Link to dissertation is below:
Abstract (englisch):
This thesis endeavors to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between impact investing and the unique challenges faced by impact-driven startups. Accounting for the ever-present liability of newness and smallness of startups, the thesis provides pathways to minimize the liability of impact intransparency. This thesis employs a multi-method approach: Ten explorative interviews with investors, consultants, and startups are complemented with a survey of 69 impact investors to understand the criteria for identifying and investing in impact-driven startups. A network analysis of the German impact investor network builds on the previous findings. Additionally, 25 semi-structured interviews with impact-driven startups pinpoint the startups’ point of view on impact assessment and measurement practices. A design science approach concludes the empirical findings via 20 semi-structured interviews with experts in impact investing and sustainable innovation, user testing with three impact-driven startups, qualitative evaluation via seven experts in impact investing and sustainable innovation, and a focus group workshop with six researchers from the field of impact investing and sustainable innovation. The first part points out a gap between the fundamental impact investing goals toward a sustainable future and the current impact assessment practices, highlighting the tendency of homophily by impact investors. These findings are complemented by exploring startup requirements and considering challenges such as scalability, resource constraints, and data availability. The second part synthesizes research to propose and validate four design principles via a design instantiation for impact assessment and measurement of startups.
Consequently, this thesis adds an empirical perspective to the limited research about impact investing and entrepreneurship. It emphasizes the theoretical relevance of conflicting goals, social learning, and information asymmetry in the interconnection of impact investors and impact-driven startups. Further, it contributes to the ongoing debate about startups' legitimacy in relation to sustainability. The findings highlight the necessity of translating impact goals into tangible criteria that can be measured at the output level to strengthen the legitimacy of an impact claim.
Link to dissertation is below:
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