Biomimicry for a Sustainable Future: A Qualitative Study Based on Expectancy Theory

Abstract

Purpose – The aim of this research is to examine how biomimicry education, which is an important applied field in terms of sustainability, is experienced and interpreted by university students studying management information systems and software engineering within the framework of expectation theory. Design/data/methodology – In the first phase of the research, students were educated on the field of biomimicry within the context of a STEM-based programme. In the second phase, students were asked to develop ideas inspired by nature; these ideas were shared with primary and secondary school students within the scope of TÜBİTAK Science Talks. Eight months after the educational process, interviews were conducted to evaluate participants' expectations and experiences regarding sustainability. The study employed a phenomenological framework to conduct in-depth qualitative research, using semi-structured questions based on expectation theory. Findings – Biomimicry training has supported the development of creativity. However, the ideas developed after the training could not be implemented. It is believed that individuals need to be included in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in order to meet expectations in this process. Moreover, it has been found that sustainability-related studies are more beneficial when carried out in close contact with nature and as a team. Originality/value – The original value of this research consists in examining biomimicry education in technology-focused disciplines within the framework of Expectancy Theory and evaluating its long-term effects using a phenomenological approach. Furthermore, the fact that students pass on their nature-inspired ideas to younger generations through social interaction adds a different value to the study.

Keywords

• Expectancy theory
• Sustainability
• Biomimicry

Sürdürülebilir Bir Gelecek için Biyomimikri: Beklenti Teorisi Temelinde Nitel Bir Araştırma

Abstract

Amaç – Bu araştırmanın amacı, sürdürülebilirlik açısından önemli bir uygulama alanı olan biyomimikri eğitiminin, yönetim bilişim sistemleri ve yazılım mühendisliği alanlarında öğrenim gören üniversite öğrencileri tarafından beklenti kuramı çerçevesinde nasıl deneyimlendiğini ve anlamlandırıldığını incelemektir. Tasarım/veri/metodoloji – Araştırmanın ilk aşamasında, STEM temelli bir program kapsamında öğrencilere biyomimikri konusu üzerine eğitim verilmiştir. İkinci aşamada, öğrencilerden doğadan ilham alan fikirler geliştirmeleri istenmiş; üretilen bu fikirler TÜBİTAK Bilim Söyleşileri kapsamında ilkokul ve lise öğrencileriyle paylaşılmıştır. Eğitim sürecinden sekiz ay sonra gerçekleştirilen görüşmelerde, katılımcıların sürdürülebilirlik alanına ilişkin beklenti ve deneyimleri değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışmada, beklenti kuramı temel alınarak öğrencilere yarı yapılandırılmış sorular yöneltilmiş ve süreç, fenomenoloji deseni çerçevesinde nitel araştırma yöntemiyle derinlemesine incelenmiştir. Bulgular – Biyomimikri eğitimi yaratıcılığın gelişmesi konusunda destek sağlamıştır. Fakat eğitim sonrası geliştirilen fikirler hayata geçirilememiştir. Bu süreçteki beklentilerin karşılanması için bireylerin girişimcilik ekosistemine dahil edilmesinin gerekli olduğu düşünülmektedir. Üstelik, sürdürülebililik ile ilgili çalışmaların doğa ile iç içe, ekip halinde sürdürülmesinin daha faydalı olacağı bulgulanmıştır. Özgünlük/değer – Bu araştırmanın özgün değeri, teknoloji odaklı disiplinlerde biyomimikri eğitiminin Beklenti Kuramı çerçevesinde incelenmesi ve uzun vadeli etkilerinin fenomenolojik yaklaşımla değerlendirilmesidir. Ayrıca, öğrencilerin doğadan ilham alan fikirlerini toplumsal etkileşim yoluyla genç kuşaklara aktarması çalışmaya farklı bir değer katmaktadır.

Keywords

• Beklenti kuramı
• Sürdürlebilirlik
• Biomimikri

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