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Open Source Projects as Horizontal Innovation Networks - By and for users

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  • von Hippel, Eric

Abstract

Innovation development, production, distribution and consumption networks can be built up horizontally Â€Ó with actors consisting only of innovation users (more precisely, "user/self-manufacturers"). "Free" and "open source" software projects are examples of such networks, and examples can be found in the case of physical products as well. User innovation networks can function entirely independently of manufacturers when (1) at least some users have sufficient incentive to innovate, (2) at least some users have an incentive to voluntarily reveal their innovations, and (3) diffusion of innovations by users is low cost and can compete with commercial production and distribution. When only the first two conditions hold, a pattern of user innovation and trial and improvement will occur within user networks, followed by commercial manufacturer and distribution of innovations that prove to be of general interest. In this paper we explore the empirical evidence related to each of these matters and conclude that conditions favorable to user innovation networks are often present in the economy

Suggested Citation

  • von Hippel, Eric, 2003. "Open Source Projects as Horizontal Innovation Networks - By and for users," Working papers 4366-02, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:mit:sloanp:1827
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/1827
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Wouter Boon & Gerben de Vries & Alexander Peine, 2015. "User-technology interactions in the construction of user-driven configurations – lessons from Dutch civic energy communities," Innovation Studies Utrecht (ISU) working paper series 15-02, Utrecht University, Department of Innovation Studies, revised Jun 2015.

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