Title: Learning from users for radical innovation

Authors: Christopher Lettl, Cornelius Herstatt, Hans Georg Gemuenden

Addresses: Berlin University of Technology, Chair of Innovation and Technology Management, Straße des 17, Juni 135, H71 10623, Berlin, Germany. ' Department for Technology and Innovation Management (AB 1-14), Hamburg University of Technology, Schwarzenbergstraße 95, 21073 Hamburg, Germany. ' Berlin University of Technology, Chair of Innovation and Technology Management, Straße des 17, Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany

Abstract: Our study focuses on the question of what kinds 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. The case study analysis reveals that users with a unique set of characteristics can contribute substantially to the development of radical innovations. By interacting with these users, firms learned on the product innovation dimension, process dimension and technology dimension.

Keywords: radical innovation; user-driven innovation; new product development; NPD; medical technology; technology management; product innovation; innovation management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2006.008190

International Journal of Technology Management, 2006 Vol.33 No.1, pp.25 - 45

Published online: 22 Nov 2005 *

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