|
|
|
|
|
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
zby
Posts:5
 |
| 11/01/2006 11:19 AM |
 Alert
|
| A very extensive treat of the 'User Innovation' subject can be find in "Democratizing Innovation" by Eric von Hippel. |
|
|
|
|
jspector
Posts:38
|
| 11/03/2006 9:55 PM |
Alert
|
Can you give a quick summary of what it says? Thanks.
-Jon Spector |
|
|
|
|
zby
Posts:5
|
| 11/05/2006 8:55 AM |
Alert
|
| His main point is that end-users, rather than manufacturers, are responsible for a large amount of new innovation (http://web.mit.edu/evhippel/www/books.htm). |
|
|
|
|
barry
Posts:72
|
| 11/05/2006 9:56 AM |
Alert
|
Eric - would you be willing to lead this chapter, or at least add significantly to iit?
Barry |
|
|
|
|
joe_flum
Posts:151
|
| 11/08/2006 7:55 PM |
Alert
|
I definately agree that Eric's insights on the role of user innovation are highly relevant to the discussion of the dynamics present in community-based research. While I haven't finished the book, I'll try to remember some of what it touches on.
As I've mentioned (indirectly) in other posts, the dynamics within a community is directly related to the way in which the platform is presented. The tools made available to the members influence the methods that they use to express themselves and so influence what types of interactions are possible.
To me, one of the points that Eric makes is that companies need to consider how they allow their users to innovate with their products. In the open source community and in the cases of Amazon, GoogleMaps and Flickr, this train of thought has given rise to the trend in offering APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). These APIs expose the underlying data stores of the company to allow for users to recombine them in other products or adapt them to previously unconsidered uses.
This sort of "innovation preparation" prepares the product for future growth and allows the community to work with it. One of the biggest problems (at least for me), with Microsoft's approach is that the innerworkings of a large number of their products are completely shut off. In the case of Microsoft, this isn't a problem since they have HUGE budgets for spending on R&D. In most cases though, many companies don't have this limitless funding and so are forced to hedge their bets (so to speak) and invest in a limited number of ideas.
Eric's book, understands that there is an enormous untapped resource in the "garage band inventor", and it is in our (ie. business') capacity to support this desire that we can make community-driven research a reality. |
|
|
|
|
hjbarraza
Posts:11
|
| 11/09/2006 8:29 PM |
Alert
|
I'ts been long since last see the book: but i can recall three main points that Democratizing Innovation enables, for a business and markets approach (increased revenue)
Let them design it and you will:
* Reduce costs of R&D
* Assure that if not the best product is being develop at least the one that will sell the most
* You will create community around your brand (loyalty, fans etc.)
I'm sure that theres plenty more to learn about the book, im just trying to place what i can remember. |
|
|
|
|
zby
Posts:5
|
| 11/17/2006 8:15 AM |
Alert
|
| Commenting joe_flum comment - what you mention there is mostly providing what von Hippel calls 'toolkits' for the users. There was also described another strategy - that of searching for 'lead users' ie those with the most extreme requirements and observing how they modify the product. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|