In this paper, we assess the economic viability of innovation by producers relative to two increasingly important alternative models: innovations by single-user individuals or firms and open collaborative innovation. We analyze the design costs and architectures and communication costs...

It is known that end users of products and services sometimes innovate, and that innovations developed by users sometimes become the basis for important new-commercial products and services. It has also been argued and to some extent shown that such innovations will be found concentrated in a...

Innovation is rapidly becoming democratized. Users, aided by improvements in computer and communications technology, increasingly can develop their own new products and services. These innovating users - both individuals and firms - often freely share their innovations with others, creating...