Proposition of a Tool to Evaluate User-Driven-Innovation in a Manufacturing Company

Abstract

Innovation is one of the key pillars of development for many companies, and especially for mature manufacturing companies operating in a B2B market. In addition to this, these companies involve more and more their users to develop their innovation capacity. Indeed, user-driven innovation (UDI) is popular in companies wishing to improve their sustainability in increasing their competitiveness on their market. However, it can be difficult for manufacturing companies to evaluate where they stand in terms of user-driven innovation, and more globally in terms of innovation. All degrees and types of innovation could be confused with them. The objective of this study is to bring valuable knowledge to manufacturing companies aiming to meet this challenge. In this paper, we propose a research approach based on criteria selected from the literature to assist manufacturing companies to evaluate their UDI score and analyze it over time. An evaluation tool based on this approach was developed and tested twice in an international manufacturing company before and after having set up UDI specific tools and actions. The results given by the tool show the positive evolution of the UDI score of the company.