The Phenomenon

Many Users Innovate: Nearly three decades of research into the sources of innovation, pioneered and still driven by Eric von Hippel (MIT), has revealed that users can be surprisingly creative and innovative. In many cases, the users themselves – and not manufacturers – are the originators of new products and services.

• Empirical studies, for example in the fields of computers, banking, petroleum processing, software, manufacturing processes, the semi-conductor industry and many sports industries like snowboarding, windsurfing, or kayaking have shown that the most important innovations in the evolution of industries were originated by users.

• User innovation is not a rare occurrence. The share of user innovators in the fields studied to date range from 10% (outdoor consumer products) to almost 80% (extreme sporting communities).

• The advent of the internet has propelled user innovativeness, as it is now much easier for users to interact with other users. The results of such global user networks and communities include open source software or Wikipedia, to name just two examples.

Companies and academics alike are increasingly searching for ways to reclaim the territory of user innovation for innovation management and product development.

The Focus Themes

The User Innovation Research Initiative aims to deepen our understanding of the phenomenon of user innovation. We search for patterns and mechanisms and, building on our insights, develop and improve practical methods in order to harness user innovativeness for companies and society overall. Our research is organized in four areas:

Outstanding User Innovation Research Scholarship

Outstanding international researchers who want to visit and collaborate with the User Innovation Research Initiative group in Vienna are provided with office space and can apply for the 'Outstanding User Innovation Research Scholarship' in order to facilitate their stay.

Interested in Collaborating?

We are highly interested in collaborating with scholars as well as practitioners with an interest in one of the focus areas of our User Innovation Research Initiative.

For scholars: If you are interested in sharing your ideas, discussing and presenting your work, or launching joint projects please feel free to contact the initative leader Nikolaus Franke (nikolaus.franke@wu.ac.at) or one of the initiative managers (see below) for further information.

For practitioners: If you are interested in collaborating with or sponsoring the User Innovation Research Initiative group, there are many different ways to do so. Please feel free to contact either the initative leader Nikolaus Franke (nikolaus.franke@wu.ac.at) or one of the initiative managers (see below) for further information.

Contact

Further Relevant Links

A 'cornerstone' book about user innovation is 'Democratizing Innovation' by Prof. Eric von Hippel (MIT). A free download is available at:
http://web.mit.edu/evhippel/www/books.htm

A collection of relevant research papers on user innovation is available at:
http://evhippel.mit.edu/papers/

A good website on mass customization (in German) is
www.mass-customization.de

E&I Institute team members are active researchers and who have conducted numerous research projects. Their results are published in internationally leading journals.

Most publications focus on open / user innovation (lead user method, crowdsourcing, toolkits for user innovation, innovation communities etc.).

Feel free to read and download the research papers below (for non-commercial use only).

A full list of the E&I publications can be found in the WU-FIDES system.

Interested in Writing a Dissertation at E&I?

You are warmly invited to apply if you’re interested in pursuing a dissertation under the supervision of Prof. Nikolaus Franke. Below, you’ll find key information about the expectations, structure, and goals of such a research project.

What Is a Dissertation?

A dissertation is an independent, scholarly contribution to scientific research on a relevant topic. In addition to a strong theoretical foundation, a quantitative-empirical component is generally required - typically in the form of a survey, secondary data analysis, or meta-analysis.

Structure and Process

A dissertation usually follows a two-phase structure:

• Defining Your Research Question: You begin by identifying a specific research gap. This requires conducting a state-of-the-art literature review that reflects the global status of academic research in your field. The goal is to formulate a clear, well-justified research question that is both narrow and relevan

• Filling the Research Gap: Next, you derive hypotheses or propositions based on theory and test them through your own empirical study. This is your core contribution. A successful dissertation combines:

  • a solid theoretical foundation

  • a well-defined research gap

  • rigorous empirical work

  • and a synthesis of findings with existing literature

High-quality articles in top-tier international journals should serve as role models. Even though they are often highly condensed, they exemplify the clarity, rigor, and relevance your work should strive for.

Your Goal: A Contribution to International Research

The ultimate aim of your dissertation is to advance international academic knowledge and create new, relevant insights. This means actively participating in the scientific discourse — not letting your dissertation gather dust in an archive.

• Present at International Conferences: Sharing your preliminary results and getting feedback is invaluable. Doctoral candidates at the institute have previously presented at renowned conferences such as:

  • Academy of Management (AoM)

  • American Marketing Association (AMA)

  • R&D Management Conference

  • RENT – Research in Entrepreneurship and Small Business

  • European Academy of Management (EURAM)

• Publish in Peer-Reviewed Journals: The ultimate goal is to publish your findings in an international academic journal. This ensures visibility, credibility, and impact for your work within the scientific community.

Support from the Institute

While these goals are ambitious, you won’t be alone. The E&I Institute offers:

• Access to extensive expertise and research processes

• A strong support network

• Valuable contacts and collaboration opportunities

Many former doctoral candidates have received prestigious awards such as the AMA Best Paper Award, Stephan Koren Prize, and Rudolf Sallinger Prize — proving that even early-career researchers can make a meaningful impact.

What We Expect from You

A dissertation represents a significant scientific achievement — far beyond a continuation of your previous studies. To succeed, you should bring:

• Strong analytical and research skills

• In-depth knowledge of empirical methods, including statistics, econometrics, and social research

• Willingness to learn, perform, and grow continuously

Please also consult the WU Dissertation Office for formal requirements and guidelines.

If you’re ready to make a real contribution to international research and are committed to academic excellence, we look forward to hearing from you.