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User Involvement of People with Mild Disabilities in Technology Innovations: Does It Make a Difference?

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  • Anita Borch

    (Consumption Research Norway—SIFO, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway)

  • Pål Strandbakken

    (Consumption Research Norway—SIFO, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway)

Abstract

In this study, we explored the role of people with mild forms of visual, hearing, physical, and cognitive impairments in innovation processes. Our research questions are: do the product evaluations by people with mild disabilities differ from those given by people without reported disabilities? If so, how? The analysis is based on eight focus group interviews conducted in Norway in 2016, in which 60 participants were asked to evaluate 11 energy-efficient product ideas. Four of the focus groups (two of men and two of women) were recruited based on the criteria of being mildly disabled. The remaining groups (two of men and two of women) had no such clause. The research results are ambiguous, indicating that the evaluations of new innovation by mildly disabled people correspond with those made by people without reported disabilities in some aspects and differ in others. However, the small size of the sample studied in this article suggests that the research results must be regarded as preliminary. Overall, the study reveals some interesting observations to be confirmed and disconfirmed in further research.

Suggested Citation

  • Anita Borch & Pål Strandbakken, 2019. "User Involvement of People with Mild Disabilities in Technology Innovations: Does It Make a Difference?," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(1), pages 136-151.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:socinc:v:7:y:2019:i:1:p:136-151
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guido Migliaccio, 2016. "ICT for disability management in the net economy," International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 8(1), pages 51-72.
    2. Eric von Hippel, 1998. "Economics of Product Development by Users: The Impact of "Sticky" Local Information," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 44(5), pages 629-644, May.
    3. Eric von Hippel, 1994. ""Sticky Information" and the Locus of Problem Solving: Implications for Innovation," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 40(4), pages 429-439, April.
    4. Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska, 2016. "What makes consumers adopt to innovative energy services in the energy market?," HSC Research Reports HSC/16/09, Hugo Steinhaus Center, Wroclaw University of Technology.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kirsi Laitala & Anita Borch, 2019. "People with Disabilities: The Overlooked Consumers," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(1), pages 111-113.

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