Abstract:
User innovation is a potentially useful source of knowledge for firms because of the need-related knowledge users possess. Anecdotal examples indicate the usefulness and relevance of user innovations in generating innovative outcomes. Existing and emerging user innovation literature examines the forms, determinants, methods, tools, and processes needed to engage users in the innovation process. Less attention is allocated to examine the types and characteristics of user inputs. In this paper, we systematically review user innovation literature, with the aim of categorising the types and characteristics of user inputs. Users provide novel ideas and prototypes, feedback on product features, and information on unarticulated needs to firms. User knowledge has varying degree of tacitness, affecting the level of stickiness and transferability. Explicating user knowledge characteristics increases our understanding of the knowledge stickiness and knowledge management issues associated with accessing and transferring user knowledge.
