PLM Library · Book
Democratizing Innovation
- Author
- Eric von Hippel
- Publisher
- MIT Press
- Year
- 2005
- ISBN
- 978-0-262-72047-2
Summary
Von Hippel shows that users — both individuals and firms — are often the first to develop new products and services, and explains why they innovate and freely share their innovations.
He introduces lead users, user innovation communities and innovation toolkits that let customers design their own solutions, and discusses what this means for manufacturers and for public policy. MIT Press offers an authorized open electronic edition.
Our verdict
Worth reading — and freely available. An influential, evidence-based case for involving lead users and customers directly in product innovation.
Who should read it
- —Product managers and NPD teams looking for better sources of new ideas
- —Innovation managers designing customer co-creation or lead-user programs
- —Companies offering configurable or customizable products
How it relates to your work
- —Lead-user methods strengthen the front end of product development and requirements capture.
- —Innovation toolkits relate directly to product configurators and modular product platforms.
Keep in mind
- —Academic in tone, with research data supporting each argument.
- —Focuses on where innovation comes from rather than how to manage development processes.