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The value of online user generated content in product development

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  • Ho-Dac, Nga N.

Abstract

An empirical study of 1287 software projects over 16 months reveals that online user- generated content (UGC) has positive effects on both the initiation and completion of product-development activities. Moreover, product adoption amplifies those positive effects. These results imply that (1) online UGC is useful for product development; (2) learning from online UGC facilitates product-development activities; and (3) product adoption moderates this learning effect, suggesting that users can shape future products through online UGC and adoption behavior. This study advances both the user innovation and open innovation research streams, and moves toward closing the gap between the two major streams in the distributed innovation paradigm.

Suggested Citation

  • Ho-Dac, Nga N., 2020. "The value of online user generated content in product development," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 136-146.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:112:y:2020:i:c:p:136-146
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.02.030
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    7. Zhao, Liang & Sun, Zhe & Chen, Si & Gugnani, Ritika & Sahore, Nidhi, 2024. "Social media opinion leaders and information diffusion of crowdfunding projects: Evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    8. Saura, Jose Ramon & Palacios-Marqués, Daniel & Ribeiro-Soriano, Domingo, 2023. "Exploring the boundaries of open innovation: Evidence from social media mining," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    9. Shaheer, Noman & Chen, Liang & Yi, Jingtao & Li, Sali & Su, Huiwen, 2024. "Network effects, word of mouth, and entry performance: A study of digital freemium products," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 59(6).
    10. von Hippel, Eric & Kaulartz, Sandro, 2021. "Next-generation consumer innovation search: Identifying early-stage need-solution pairs on the web," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(8).
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