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Item type:Publication, Access status: with files , Users as inventors and developers of radical innovation : An explorative case study analysis in the field of medical technologyOur study focuses on the question, whether users should be intensively involved in the innovation process of radical product innovations or better not – from the manufacturer’s perspective. Radical innovations incorporate new technologies, shift market structures, require intensive user learning and induce significant behavior changes. Due to these specifics the question arises, whether users play a productive role in the innovation process of radical innovations at all, or if their contributions might even be counterproductive. To gain a better understanding for the users’ role in radical innovation and to develop a differentiated view of their contributions, we have studied three dimensions of user involvement were studied: (1) Which characteristics enable users to contribute to the innovation process? (2) How do manufacturers need to interact with users to benefit from their contributions? (3) How does user involvement impact on the manufacturer? We focused our study on the early phases of the innovation process. Two phases were distinquished for the analysis of these questions: Idea gen-eration and development. This distinction allows us to analyse the role of users within separate phases of the innovation process. Based on relevant theories and empirical work a set of propositions was formulated for each dimension. To study the addressed research questions, an explorative case study analysis was conducted in the field of medical technology. Five radical innovation projects were selected including medical robots, navigation systems, and biocompatible implants. In-depth inter-views were conducted with marketing, R&D, project leaders, CEO’s, and users. A content analysis framework was applied to systematically analyse the collected data. The case studies reveal that users with a unique set of characteristics (motivation, competencies, contextual factors) were able to deliver major contributions in all three phases of the radical innova-tion projects. In four cases users turned out to be the original inventor of the radical innovations. Particularly users that work under extreme conditions (e.g. neurosurgeons) prooved to be a valuable source for radically new ideas. Furthermore the cases show that the innovative users took over classi-cal functions of manufacturers in the development process. For example the innovative users identified relevant experts and manufacturers that were required to transform their ideas into prototypes and products. These users therefore took over the networking function. some users were able to actively contribute to the development of first prototypes. A unique set of characteristics enabled users to do so. With regard to appropriate patterns of interaction between users and manufacturers the analysis reveals that face-to-face-interactions are required. This is due to the nature of information that is transferred. The information provided by users and by manufacturers is highly complex. Therefore explanations and visualisations are needed to gain an understanding on either side. In addition the analysis shows that it seems to be appropriate to interact with a small, well selected number of users in early phases and to increase the number of involved users as the project gets closer to market introduc-tion. In four cases specific users contributed significantly to NPD success. Based on the results of the study, the recommendation for manufacturers is to leverage the knowledge of users with certain char-acteristics for radical innovation projects. The results of our study form the basis of a market research concept for radical innovations.Publicationtype: Working Paper411 273 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Access status: with files , Learning from users for radical innovationIn today’s environment of rapid technological change companies can not rely on incremental innovations alone. To sustain long-term competitiveness companies need to develop radical innovations as well. Such innovations typically incorporate new and highly complex technologies, create new markets or shift existing market structures, and require user learning as they often induce significant behaviour changes on side of the users. To systematically develop radical innovations firms need to involve the proper actors. One such important external actor in the development process of new products is the user. Our study focuses on the question what kind of users are able to actively contribute to the development of radical innovations and what firms can learn from them to improve their innovative capability. A multiple case study analysis was conducted in the field of medical technology. Five radical innovation projects were selected including medical robots and computer-assisted navigation systems. The case study analysis reveals that users with a unique set of characteristics can contribute substantially to the development of radical innovations. These users have a high motivation toward new solutions, are open to new technologies, possess diverse competencies, and are embedded into a very supportive context. Manufacturers that took over the ideas and prototypes of the inventive users benefited significantly. By learning from these users, firms were able to significantly improve their radical innovative capability. The paper contributes to technology and innovation management research in two ways. First, by exploring critical user characteristics for distinct phases of the radical innovation process, we provide first insights how manufacturing firms can more effectively identify and leverage valuable users for their radical innovation work. Thereby, we highlight the involvement of capable users as an effective learning mechanism to improve the radical innovation capability of a firm. Second, new perspectives on lead user research are provided by enriching the lead user concept with other crucial characteristics of innovative users.Publicationtype: Working Paper707 859 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Access status: with files , Innovation search fields with Lead Users“Close orientation with the market is essential for innovation success!” Although both academics and market research practitioners would generally agree with this statement, alignment with the needs of the customer often results in conservative innovation strategies. Due to their focus on what is currently on offer in the marketplace, customers primarily demand small, step-wise developments - so-called incremental innovations. This dilemma can be overcome through with the help of particularly advanced customers (Lead Users). The Lead User method aids companies in capitalizing on the innovative potential of these highly qualified customers. A case study with the German firm, Johnson & Johnson Medical GmbH, demonstrated that Breakthrough Innovations are achievable this way.Publicationtype: Working Paper603 578 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Access status: with files , Fortschrittliche Kunden zu radikalen Innovationen stimulieren“Close orientation with the market is essential for innovation success!” Although both academics and market research practitioners would generally agree with this statement, alignment with the needs of the customer often results in conservative innovation strategies. Due to their focus on what is currently on offer in the marketplace, customers primarily demand small, step-wise developments - so-called incremental innovations. This dilemma can be overcome through with the help of particularly advanced customers (Lead Users). The Lead User method aids companies in capitalizing on the innovative potential of these highly qualified customers. A case study with the German firm, Johnson & Johnson Medical GmbH, demonstrated that Breakthrough Innovations are achievable this way.Publicationtype: Working Paper1070 420 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Access status: with files , Management of “technology push” development projectsDiscussion of “market pull” versus “technology push” approaches in the field of busi-ness innovation research has followed a certain trend. The empirical research under-taken until now has been concerned in particular with the question of how each of these approaches differently influence the subsequent success of the innovation.<br /> We do not wish to continue this discussion in our paper, rather we assume that both ap-proaches are justified depending upon the importance of the relevant innovation source, the desired degree of innovation and the respective characteristics of the industry in question. We concern ourselves with the characteristics that result in the “technology push” for the management of innovation projects and what implications can be derived from practical project management organization. In doing so, we concentrate upon all market-related activities, in particular the identification and verification of application areas for new technology. <br /> After contrasting the various characteristics of the “technology push” and “market pull” approaches, the market-related characteristics of “technology push” projects are outlined. In this context, current instruments and methods of qualitative market re-search are introduced and their usefulness discussed. In addition, organizational-structural aspects as well as strategic and operative aspects of “technology push” pro-ject management will be highlighted.Publicationtype: Working Paper1337 1708 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Access status: with files , Management von technologie-getriebenen EntwicklungsprojektenDiscussion of “market pull” versus “technology push” approaches in the field of business innovation research has followed a certain trend. The empirical research undertaken until now has been concerned in particular with the question of how each of these approaches differently influence the subsequent success of the innovation. We do not wish to continue this discussion in our paper, rather we assume that both approaches are justified depending upon the importance of the relevant innovation source, the desired degree of innovation and the respective characteristics of the industry in question. We concern ourselves with the characteristics that result in the “technology push” for the management of innovation projects and what implications can be derived from practical project management organization. In doing so, we concentrate upon all market-related activities, in particular the identification and verification of application areas for new technology. After contrasting the various characteristics of the “technology push” and “market pull” approaches, the market-related characteristics of “technology push” projects are outlined. In this context, current instruments and methods of qualitative market research are introduced and their usefulness discussed. In addition, organizational-structural aspects as well as strategic and operative aspects of “technology push” pro-ject management will be highlighted.Publicationtype: Working Paper779 741