Open Innovation - Instrumente und Strategien zur aktiven Einbeziehung von NutzerInnen und anderen relevanten sozialen Gruppen

The research project will include the exemplary implementation and subsequently the improvement of two methods especially designed for user-involvement in technological innovation, namely 'Constructive Technology Assessment' and the 'Lead-User approach'.

Client

Zentrum für Soziale Innovation

Duration

2006-2007

Projektbericht

A huge number of ecological as well as conventional products fail on the market because of lacking customer’s acceptance. This situation can partly be explained by the fact that in conventional innovation processes the ideas and experiences of users are considered – if at all – at very late stages of development. In this stage, at the end of a long chain of decisions, substantial changes in the design are not possible any more. But positive effects for the environment can only be achieved when ecological products are successful on the market and when they are widely used. The aim of this project is to develop user-centred prospects for selected environmental technologies (fuel cells and wood-plastic composites). The research project will include the exemplary implementation and subsequently the improvement of two methods especially designed for user-involvement in technological innovation, namely 'Constructive Technology Assessment' and the 'Lead-User approach'. The project ‘Open Innovation’ is funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology within its programme ‘Factory of Tomorrow’. The particular technological fields - fuel cells and wood-plastic composites (WPC) – were chosen, because in both cases several technological research projects are part of the programme.

Expected results

  • Analysis of the existing participation culture concerning the role of users and other relevant social groups within the research programme ‘Factory of Tomorrow’.
  • Development of user-centred prospects and criteria in the area of fuel cells technology and wood-plastic composites.
  • Scientific as well as practical results for the development of 'Constructive Technology Assessment' and 'Lead-user approach', documentation and recommendations for standardised methods.