Open Innovation: A Typology of User Involvement in the Context of the Web2.0-Paradigm

Within this paper a typology of user involvement is proposed based on the degree of user involvement and on the nature of the innovation process. This typology is illustrated with six case studies of open innovation projects. Costs and benefits are analysed from the perspective of participating users as well as the instigators of the innovation process. This paper offers a framework to classify different forms of user involvement practices. This should facilitate further research in the application of Web 2.0-principles for open innovation purposes.