Users as inventors and developers of radical innovation: An explorative case study analysis in the field of medical technology

Our study focuses on the question, whether users should be intensively involved in the innovation process of radical product innovations or better not - from the manufacturer's perspective. Radical innovations incorporate new technologies, shift market structures, require intensive user learning and induce significant behavior changes. Due to these specifics the question arises, whether users play a productive role in the innovation process of radical innovations at all, or if their contributions might even be counterproductive. To gain a better understanding for the users' role in radical innovation and to develop a differentiated view of their contributions, we have studied three dimensions of user involvement were studied: (1) Which characteristics enable users to contribute to the innovation process? (2) How do manufacturers need to interact with users to benefit from their contributions? (3) How does user involvement impact on the manufacturer? We focused our study on the early phases of the innovation process. Two phases were distinquished for the analysis of these questions: Idea gen-eration and development. This distinction allows us to analyse the role of users within separate phases of the innovation process. Based on relevant theories and empirical work a set of propositions was formulated for each dimension. To study the addressed research questions, an explorative case study analysis was conducted in the field of medical technology. Five radical innovation projects were selected including medical robots, navigation systems, and biocompatible implants. In-depth inter-views were conducted with marketing, R&D, project leaders, CEO's, and users. A content analysis framework was applied to systematically analyse the collected data. The case studies reveal that users with a unique set of characteristics (motivation, competencies, contextual factors) were able to deliver major contributions in all three phases of the radical innova-tion projects. In four cases users turned out to be the original inventor of the radical innovations. Particularly users that work under extreme conditions (e.g. neurosurgeons) prooved to be a valuable source for radically new ideas. Furthermore the cases show that the innovative users took over classi-cal functions of manufacturers in the development process. For example the innovative users identified relevant experts and manufacturers that were required to transform their ideas into prototypes and products. These users therefore took over the networking function. some users were able to actively contribute to the development of first prototypes. A unique set of characteristics enabled users to do so. With regard to appropriate patterns of interaction between users and manufacturers the analysis reveals that face-to-face-interactions are required. This is due to the nature of information that is transferred. The information provided by users and by manufacturers is highly complex. Therefore explanations and visualisations are needed to gain an understanding on either side. In addition the analysis shows that it seems to be appropriate to interact with a small, well selected number of users in early phases and to increase the number of involved users as the project gets closer to market introduc-tion. In four cases specific users contributed significantly to NPD success. Based on the results of the study, the recommendation for manufacturers is to leverage the knowledge of users with certain char-acteristics for radical innovation projects. The results of our study form the basis of a market research concept for radical innovations. --innovation process,product innovation

On covers of abelian groups by cosets

Let G be any abelian group and {a_sG_s}_{s=1}^k be a finite system of cosets of subgroups G_1,...,G_k. We show that if {a_sG_s}_{s=1}^k covers all the elements of G at least m times with the coset a_tG_t irredundant then [G:G_t]\le 2^{k-m} and furthermore k\ge m+f([G:G_t]), where f(\prod_{i=1}^r p_i^{alpha_i})=\sum_{i=1}^r alpha_i(p_i-1) if p_1,...,p_r are distinct primes and alpha_1,...,alpha_r are nonnegative integers. This extends Mycielski's conjecture in a new way and implies a conjecture of Gao and Geroldinger. Our new method involves algebraic number theory and characters of abelian groups.Comment: 10 pages, also related to Number Theory and Combinatoric

Innovation search fields with Lead Users

Close orientation with the market is essential for innovation success! Although both academics and market research practitioners would generally agree with this statement, alignment with the needs of the customer often results in conservative innovation strategies. Due to their focus on what is currently on offer in the marketplace, customers primarily demand small, step-wise developments - so-called incremental innovations. This dilemma can be overcome through with the help of particularly advanced customers (Lead Users). The Lead User method aids companies in capitalizing on the innovative potential of these highly qualified customers. A case study with the German firm, Johnson & Johnson Medical GmbH, demonstrated that Breakthrough Innovations are achievable this way. -- Kundenorientierung ist entscheidend für den Innovationserfolg! Obwohl dem Wissenschaftler und Praktiker in der Marktforschung grundsätzlich zustimmen dürften, ist mit der konsequenten Ausrichtung auf die Kundenbedürfnisse gleichzeitig der Nachteil einer konservativen Innovationspolitik verbunden. Kunden fördern durch ihre Fixierung auf aktuelle Marktangebot primär kleine Weiterentwicklungen, d.h. inkrementale Innovationen. Dieses Dilemma kann mit Hilfe besonders fortschrittlicher Kunden (Lead User) überwunden werden. Die Lead User Methode hilft Unternehmen dabei, das innovative Potential dieser hochqualifizierten Kunden zu nutzen. Eine Fallanwendung mit der Johnson&Johnson Medical GmbH demonstriert, wie auf diese Weise Ansätze für radikale Innovationen erarbeitet werden können.Produktentwicklung,Produktinnovation,Marktforschung,Lead User

Anti-Localization in Oxides: Effective Spin-3/2 Model

Weak anti-localization offers an experimental tool to address spin--orbit coupling of two-dimensional oxide surfaces and interfaces via magneto-transport. To overcome the shortcomings of the formulation for single-band spin-1/2 electrons, we consider an effective three-band model that allows a decomposition into a pseudo-spin representation 1/2+3/2. Whereas the well-established spin-1/2 transport signature results from the singlet and triplet sectors in the Cooperon equation, a new structure originates from the quintet and septet sectors generated by the spin 3/2x3/2 representation

Learning from users for radical innovation

In today's environment of rapid technological change companies can not rely on incremental innovations alone. To sustain long-term competitiveness companies need to develop radical innovations as well. Such innovations typically incorporate new and highly complex technologies, create new markets or shift existing market structures, and require user learning as they often induce significant behaviour changes on side of the users. To systematically develop radical innovations firms need to involve the proper actors. One such important external actor in the development process of new products is the user. Our study focuses on the question what kind 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. Five radical innovation projects were selected including medical robots and computer-assisted navigation systems. The case study analysis reveals that users with a unique set of characteristics can contribute substantially to the development of radical innovations. These users have a high motivation toward new solutions, are open to new technologies, possess diverse competencies, and are embedded into a very supportive context. Manufacturers that took over the ideas and prototypes of the inventive users benefited significantly. By learning from these users, firms were able to significantly improve their radical innovative capability. The paper contributes to technology and innovation management research in two ways. First, by exploring critical user characteristics for distinct phases of the radical innovation process, we provide first insights how manufacturing firms can more effectively identify and leverage valuable users for their radical innovation work. Thereby, we highlight the involvement of capable users as an effective learning mechanism to improve the radical innovation capability of a firm. Second, new perspectives on lead user research are provided by enriching the lead user concept with other crucial characteristics of innovative users. --Produktinnovation,Produktentwicklung,Benutzer / Beteiligung

Modernization of Experimental Electric Vehicle Drive System

Modernization consists of a new compact drive unit for the Citröen Berlingo Electrique electric vehicle. The drive unit integrates a power converter for the traction motor, a DC/DC low voltage converter, an on board charger and an electronic control unit (ECU). The new air-cooled power converter is lightweight and more efficient due to a modern equipment used. The new ECU uses controller area network (CAN) to communicate with the power converters and also collects all the measured data that can be transferred in real-time during drive. This vehicle also currently provides a test and measurement platform for Master’s Degree students