English

Democratizing Innovation

Innovation is rapidly becoming democratized. Users, aided by improvements in computer and communications technology, increasingly can develop their own new products and services. These innovating users - both individuals and firms - often freely share their innovations with others, creating user-innovation communities and a rich intellectual commons. In Democratizing Innovation Eric von Hippel looks closely at this emerging user-centered innovation system, which is affecting both information products and physical products. Drawing on work done with several coauthors, von Hippel explores why and when users find it profitable to develop new products and services for themselves, and why it often pays users to reveal their innovations freely for the use of all. Drawing on work with Nikolaus Franke, Pam Morrison and others, he documents that product and service development is concentrated among lead user firms and individuals. Lead users that are ahead on marketplace trends do not replicate manufacturer development efforts. Instead, they develop products that are not yet available. Later manufacturers find many of these user-developed products to be the basis for commercial products. Dr

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