Evaluating the Impact of design thinking on creative thinking among 21st century Managers

The last century focused on efficiency and productivity, moving incrementally from good to better to best. Education, however, has lagged behind, widening the gap between academia and industry. As a result, young managers often lack the interdisciplinary exposure, experiential learning, and problem-solving skills required by industry. This century now faces a shortage of thinkers, innovators, and doers. While previous research has highlighted design thinking as a driver of creativity, most studies remained conceptual rather than evidence-based. This study addresses that gap by examining the pre- and post-impact of design thinking on creative thinking among management students. Using data from 1,000 students across multiple colleges and employing a mixed-methods approach, the study provides empirical insights into how design thinking enhances creativity. Statistical validation through paired sample t-tests revealed highly significant improvements in creative thinking skills. The findings confirm that design thinking not only nurtures originality and problem-solving but also bridges the skill gap between industry and academia. By moving beyond theoretical claims, this study offers evidence-based validation of design thinking’s effectiveness in fostering creativity, adaptability, and innovation among management students key qualities for their employability, career growth, and leadership in today’s dynamic organizational contexts.