User innovation in Gipuzkoa. A descriptive approach

Abstract

This study aims to assess user innovation in Gipuzkoa. Flowers et al. (2010) measured this concept in the UK and proposed a methodology to be reproduced in further research; Ogawa and Pongtanalert (2011) replicated the study in Japan and the US. In the current work we have measured user innovation in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain) using the same methodology, to whose consolidation we are, thus, contributing. The results show that the percentages of user innovation and lead users in Gipuzkoa are lower than in the UK, but higher than in the US and Japan. The profile of lead users in Gipuzkoa responds to features also found in other studies: they are mainly educated adult men with technical training. We conclude that companies and public administrations should take into account wealth created by users through incorporating them into innovation processes, redefining in this way innovation policy.