Title: The evolution of modularity and architectural innovation: web-enabled collective development of a tangible artefact

Authors: Giuseppe Carignani, Pierpaolo Andriani, Alberto Felice De Toni

Addresses: Management Engineering Laboratory – DIEGM, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze, 208, 33100 Udine (UD), Italy. ' Euromed Management, Rue Antoine Bourdelle, Domaine de Luminy BP 921, 13 288 Marseille, France. ' University of Udine, Via delle Scienze, 208, 33100 Udine (UD), Italy

Abstract: Can a web-based community of peers autonomously engage in architectural innovation and develop tangible products? We present a theoretical framework that builds upon the idea of product modularisation as a knowledge management tool enabling community collaboration. The framework consists of a community meta-model and a product meta-model; some mechanisms enabling collective innovation are also presented as part of the framework. We then apply the theoretical framework to the real case of a high-performance human powered watercraft showing how the community was able to innovate the artefact evolving its modular architecture.

Keywords: collective intelligence; modularity; open source; product architecture; open manufacturing; user innovation; architectural innovation; web-enabled development; collective development; tangible artefacts; virtual communities; web based communities; online communities; internet; world wide web; peer communities; peers; autonomous engagement; tangible products; theoretical frameworks; product modularisation; KM; knowledge management; community collaboration; meta-models; collective innovation; Open Waterbike Project; pedal-power; high-performance watercrafts; human powered boats; entrepreneurship; innovation management; social media; user communities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2011.043053

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2011 Vol.14 No.4, pp.333 - 355

Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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