Fostering Interdisciplinary Design Innovation: A Social Identity-Driven Intervention Model (SIDIM)

Abstract

In an era of rapid digital transformation, interdisciplinary collaboration has become a cornerstone of design innovation. However, effective collaboration within diverse teams is often hindered by communication barriers, disciplinary silos, and the lack of a shared group identity. This paper introduces the Social Identity-Driven Intervention Model (SIDIM), a framework designed to enhance interdisciplinary design innovation by cultivating a superordinate design group identity. SIDIM integrates social identity theory with digital collaboration tools, including virtual reality (VR) and AI-assisted design platforms. A 12-week quasi-experimental study involving 62 interdisciplinary teams (N = 310) evaluates the model. The experimental group receiving SIDIM showed significant improvements across five dimensions: Design Group Identification, Collective Innovation Efficacy, Innovation Norms and Goals, Challenge Appraisal, and Innovation Response. The intervention also produced gains in collaboration efficiency, innovation quality, business value potential, and team satisfaction. The findings suggest that identity-focused interventions, supported by immersive and intelligent technologies, can help interdisciplinary teams overcome silos and unlock collective creative potential.