Title: Need assessment in practice - methods, experiences and trends

Authors: Cornelius Herstatt, Horst Geschka

Addresses: Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, Technology/Innovation Management Dept., Schwarzenbergstrasse 95, D-21073 Hamburg, Germany. Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany

Abstract: In this paper, we report and discuss the findings of two research studies (1990/91 and 1998) on need-assessment in three industries of Switzerland. The results show that customer-based thinking in general has intensified between the first and the second study. However, with regard to the use and implementation of the various methods and procedures, significant differences can be observed in the various investigated industry sectors. Such differences, among other factors, are heavily influenced by industry specifics.

Keywords: need assessment; product and process innovation; industry specific differences in assessing customer needs and problems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2002.000475

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2002 Vol.2 No.1, pp.56-68

Published online: 16 Jul 2003 *

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