The commercialization of user innovations: the development of the rodeo kayak industry

Abstract

In this study, we analyze the commercialization process of user innovations in open communities. We have traced 16 cases of user innovators who have commercialized their own innovations or have been involved in the commercialization process to some extent. By developing and manufacturing new products, the user innovators in our sample created a fastgrowing community. They used low-cost manufacturing techniques and were able to start a new industry before established manufacturers could enter the market. The transformation process from a user innovation community to a commercial and manufacturing community brought about a number of major changes. In this paper, we track those changes as: the motives for innovating, the community size and characteristics, the type of innovation, the type of assistance and the disclosure of information, the form of communication, and competition between innovating users.

How user innovations become commercial products: A theoretical investigation and case study

“…If rivalry between user-innovators increases, the benefits of free-revealing and of forming communities will go down. Rivalry can increase through several mechanisms, some of which can be seen operating in present-day rodeo kayaking communities (Hienerth 2004). First, if users within a community compete with each other, willingness to freely reveal performanceenhancing innovations will be reduced (Franke and Shah 2003).…”

“…During this time period, many innovations by users have become commercial products. Hienerth (2004) has described the evolution of the rodeo kayaking and the industry from inception in the 1970's to 2002. We next draw upon his account to summarize the features of that history that are critical to testing our theory and models.…”

Examining the dissemination of innovations in the sporting goods industry.

“…In general, individuals may want to learn more about and purchase sporting goods and services after receiving information (Franke & Shah, 2003;Gaviria, 2000;Hienerth, 2006). However, consumers may prefer to learn about a new sporting good through a face-to-face presentation and a service through a website (Bodkin & Perry, 2004;Szymanski, 2001).…”

“…Participants may also learn about innovations when a competitor uses the innovation and wins. Witnessing winning performances may generate a greater interest in the products and lead participants to purchase the products (Gaviria, 2000;Hienerth, 2006).…”

“…Ancillary products such as paddles and helmets were also developed to accommodate the new techniques and performance levels achieved with upgraded kayaks (Hienerth, 2006).…”