“Co-creation” in transdisciplinary research is marked by ambiguity, revealing tensions between collaboration, conflict, and creativity. We argue that co-creative processes must embrace dissent, emotion, and context-specific dialogue to avoid reproducing power imbalances. True co-creation requires competence, transparency, and the capacity and commitment to shared learning in order to transform conflicts constructively.

ABSTRACT As the senior tourism market expands, it is crucial to understand how older travellers engage with digital services to co-create or co-destroy value – an area underexplored in current research. Senior digital tourism experience refers to older adults’ use of digital tools throughout the travel experience. Adopting a mixed-method approach, we conducted qualitative interviews (n = 36) and a quantitative survey (n = 500) with Chinese senior tourists. The qualitative phase identified three dimensions of value co-creation (social, functional, and spiritual value) and two dimensions of value co-destruction (goal inhibition and psychological costs), which were validated through survey analysis. Findings indicate that value co-creation dimensions enhance the digital tourism experience, while psychological costs diminish it. The digital literacy moderates the relationship between psychological costs and satisfaction, mitigating its negative impact. This study contributes to customer-dominant logic by elucidating older adults’ roles in value co-creation and co-destruction and validating a context-specific measurement scale. By empirically demonstrating the mitigating role of digital literacy in value co-destruction, the findings inform the design of inclusive digital infrastructures that enhance accessibility and support sustainable senior tourism engagement.

An increasing number of traditional enterprises seek transformation, upgrading, and innovation through platform strategies. Therefore, deeply analysing the business model evolution process of platform enterprises is crucial. Through a longitudinal case study of a platform enterprise of the Interior Design and Construction field in China, this study analyzes the business model evolution process from servitization and value co-creation dimensions. It reveals that the development of platform enterprises typically undergoes three stages: initial establishment, platform development, and ecosystem empowerment. The servitization scope encompasses both customers and supply chain enterprises, while the value co-creation model transitions from a chain, network to symbiosis structure. This research elucidates the trajectory of the business model evolution process in platform enterprises, expands the existing theoretical framework of servitization, and introduces an innovative model of value co-creation evolution. It provides a clear theoretical framework for understanding the dynamic evolution process of business models in platform enterprises.

As a critical vehicle for sustainable development integrating environmental conservation and community well-being, ecotourism forms the context for this study, which establishes a novel behavioral chain linking multidimensional ecotourism experiences (sensory, situational, perceptual), tourist social media engagement, and value co-creation behaviors, thereby addressing the underexplored role of digital interaction in sustainable tourism. Analyzing data from a rigorously designed online survey (N = 603) via SmartPLS 4.0 reveals that: (1) these experiences significantly drive active social media engagement; (2) such engagement directly facilitates four key value co-creation dimensions—environmental citizenship, dialogue and communication, knowledge sharing, and cooperation; and (3) social media engagement mediates the experience–value co-creation relationship. Theoretically, this research contributes by developing and validating scales for ecotourism experiences and context-specific value co-creation, overcoming measurement gaps; uncovering social media’s critical mediating mechanism that transforms experiences into cooperative sustainability actions; and extending Service-Dominant Logic through embedding digital engagement within value co-creation frameworks. Practically, the findings equip policymakers and practitioners with evidence-based strategies to design experience-centric itineraries that trigger digital sharing, leverage social media to channel participation into environmental citizenship and knowledge co-creation, and amplify sustainability outcomes through behaviorally targeted engagement.

BackgroundInvolvement of end users in development processes is increasing, but there are still relatively few examples of the involvement of people with speech and language impairment (PWSLI). One reason for this is that these impairments are sometimes seen as a criterion for exclusion. The aim of this article is to identify both opportunities and challenges in a co-created technology development process with PWSLI. The project HiSSS (Hybrid and interactive speech and language therapy after stroke) has the objective of developing a hybrid teletherapy application for the treatment of speech and language impairments following a stroke. It includes a co-creation development process, engaging people with speech and language impairments and speech and language therapists. A comprehensive evaluation of the co-creation process in the HiSSS project will highlight opportunities and challenges in a co-created technology development process with PWSLI.All affiliations are captured correctlyMethodsThe data sources (workshop transcripts, process adaptations, team meeting protocols, researchers' reflective notes) from the co-creation process were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis (2021). Both challenges and opportunities were identified deductively through the analysis. In a further step, the authors inductively generated themes to which they assigned the opportunities and challenges.ResultsSix workshops with a total of 11 speech and language therapists and four workshops with a total of 7 people with speech and/or language impairments took place. Through thematic analysis four themes were generated: (1) Communicative limitations, (2) Researcher skills, (3) Interprofessional collaboration, (4) Organisation of participation.ConclusionsThe generated themes represent dimensions of co-creation that should be considered in future technology developments. This study demonstrates the complexity of technology co-creation with PWSLI and confirms that they can be effectively involved in research and contribute meaningfully to technology development. Whether and to what extent users should be involved in research projects must be clarified as early as possible and on a case-by-case basis according to the specific objectives of the respective project. In order to take these four dimensions into account in future co-creation projects, the funding conditions must provide the necessary framework.Trial registrationThe study is registered in the German Register of Clinical Trials (DRKS00030430).Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40900-025-00762-8.

PurposeThis study aims to explore the crucial role of TikTok in enhancing museum visibility and digital engagement across social media brand communities. Specifically, the authors investigate social media users’ and creators’ mechanisms in driving the dissemination of museum-related content. We identify key dimensions of co-creation within the #museumtok landscape, extending the understanding of social media contribution to value co-creation in the cultural industry.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach based on mixed methods is used. In Study 1, content and thematic analysis are performed using NVivo 14 on nine TikTok videos, analysing 9,223 user comments to reveal recurring themes. In Study 2, sentiment analysis is conducted on Python’s Natural Language Toolkit and Vader Lexicon. Finally, engagement scores are calculated to assess user involvement.FindingsWe develop two critical dimensions of the digital museum experience: MuseumCriticism and MuseumStorytelling. These themes reflect a fundamental shift in museums’ role from mere exhibition spaces to vehicles for digital storytelling and ethical debates. TikTok enables social conversations, where content creators influence museums’ digital perceptions. Sentiment analysis shows a predominance of positive sentiments. It sheds light on the proactive role of content creators in enhancing the museum’s digital visibility. However, criticism-focused videos elicit negative sentiments, indicating a need for moderation when addressing ethical issues.Originality/valueThe study enhances the understanding of social media’s role in cultural heritage communication, offering managerial insights for leveraging digital platforms to engage younger audiences effectively. By outlining five distinct subdimensions of the phenomenon, the authors provide actionable strategies to build stronger connections with younger demographics.

Experiences with a co-creation process to adapt a healthy sleep intervention with adolescents: A Health CASCADE process evaluation.

ABSTRACT Aligned with co-creation theory, museums are cultural tourism attractions increasingly committed to enhancing the visitor experience. However, People with Sensory Impairments (PwSI), who experience vision or hearing loss, often face barriers that restrict their access to and enjoyment of museums. Yet, despite these constraints, a comprehensive understanding on the factors influencing the co-creation experiences of people with disabilities in museums remains lacking. Building upon the biopsychosocial model of disability, this paper extends co-creation theory analysing both museum-related and visitor-related factors that affect co-creation for PwSI. A survey was conducted, including People with Visual (PwVI) and Hearing Impairments (PwHI), who had visited museums in the past three years. The questionnaires were administered both face-to-face in Portugal, and online to respondents in Portugal and abroad (N = 254). Linear regressions revealed that visitor-specific constraints (type and level of impairment) and museum-specific factors significantly influence various dimensions of PwSI's co-creation in museums. Moreover, the impact of these factors varies across different dimensions of co-creation. The study concludes with strategic recommendations for museum managers to foster more inclusive and value-added visitor experiences.

Abstract Despite increasing popularity of co-creation approaches across various types of co-creation (e.g., value co-creation) and research fields, systematic and effective theory-building of co-creation research is generally lacking. We explored co-creation literature underpinned by explicit theory, taking a hybrid approach by combining a narrative literature review of studies in various research fields and a systematic literature review of studies in the field of public health. Subsequently, we identified common dimensions applied to the co-creation process across various types of co-creation and research fields, in performing an inductive thematic analysis. Across the total 27 articles included as part of the narrative and systematic review, we identified 5 dimensions related to the co-creation process applied across 9 research fields: (1) Multi-stakeholder collaborative action; (2) Process of co-learning towards innovation; (3) Contextual knowledge production; (4) Generating meaning; and, (5) Open, trustful and inclusive dialogue. The findings offer renewed insight into the common dimensions of the co-creation process, with underpinning explicit theories across various types of co-creation and research fields. A clear and consistent definition of co-creation was often lacking, especially in the field of public health. We strongly emphasise the need for research to adopt a multi-dimensional approach to the co-creation process—as well as to work towards developing a common language around co-creation, which involves operationalising these identified five dimensions.

Patient well-being is a fundamental aspect of healthcare that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional health. Ensuring patient well-being not only improves individual outcomes but also enhances the overall healthcare provision process. This paper explores the dimensions of co-creation in healthcare provision that facilitate patient well-being. Through a comprehensive analysis, the study highlights the importance of a holistic approach in promoting and sustaining patient well-being in modern healthcare settings. The study involves a qualitative approach using an interview guide. Twenty interviews were conducted with patients of a Clinic based in Ghana in the malaria treatment process. Findings revealed that technological application, patient empowerment, service design, and healthcare providers’ relationships facilitate patient well-being in the healthcare provision.

Purpose The current study used the Stimuli-Organism-Response (S-O-R) paradigm to analyze value co-creation and customer gratitude influence on hotel guests' online reviews. It also examines the price fairness perception moderating influence on value co-creation and consumer gratitude. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 436 customers using an Internet-based questionnaire. PLS-SEM was utilized to assess hypotheses based on WarpPLS.7 software. Findings The findings demonstrated that value co-creation (co-production and value in use) significantly impacted customer gratitude and willingness to post positive online reviews. Gratitude positively influenced customers’ willingness to post online reviews. Gratitude mediated the relation between value co-creation and willingness to post positive online reviews. Price fairness perception moderated the relationship between value co-creation dimensions and customer gratitude. Originality/value The S-O-R framework underpins this study to measure the effects of co-production and value in use (stimuli) on consumer gratitude (organisms) and willingness to post positive online reviews (response). No prior studies examined this paradigm in an emerging market like Egypt. In addition, the study investigated the fair price fairness perception as a new moderating variable. Theoretical and managerial consequences are addressed.

Social commerce(s-commerce), which emphasizes the predominance of customers, has become an important tool of company social marketing and provides new challenges to businesses in attracting customers. Based on customer-dominant logic theory, this study presents a model of the impact of electronic customer-to-customer interaction(eCCI) on customer stickiness with the mediation effect of customer value co-creation dimensions, specifically functional value and hedonic value in the s-commerce context and self-efficacy as a moderator in light of customer-dominant logic. This study adopted a survey method and obtained data from users in two s-commerce sites in China. The statistical technique of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and the analytical process of necessary condition analysis (NCA) were employed to analyze the data. The PLS-SEM results indicate that eCCI influences customer value co-creation, which in turn affects the consumer stickiness of s-commerce sites.The moderated mediation results showed that self-efficacy moderated the relationship between eCCI and customer stickiness.The NCA results identified the eCCI is meaningful and significant necessary conditions for fostering customer value co-creation and customer stickiness. The combined findings demonstrated to researchers and practitioners how to identify the critical factor that influence customer value co-creation and customer stickiness. The study provides novel insights into the mechanism underlying why consumers “stick” to s-commerce websites. Furthermore, the moderated mediation model extended customer-dominant logic and demonstrated the moderating influence of self-efficacy. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Nature-based solutions as more-than-human art: Co-evolutionary and co-creative design approaches

A joyful river ride: A transformative event experience

PurposeThis study aims to propose a novel concept of choreography as a way of understanding co-creation of value and thus develops the spatial analytical dimensions of co-creation theorising.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper contemplates the meanings and possibilities of leveraging the theoretical underpinnings of value co-creation, from the viewpoint of value-in-experience.FindingsThe concept of choreography opens up a way to read knowledge as movement. It enables a way to elaborate on both the phenomenological and non-representational aspects of co-creation processes. Conceptualising co-creation through such a lens, where knowing is seen as an on-going, spatio-temporal and affective process formed in movement, posits opportunities to further understand the value co-creation practices of experiences. Choreography gives access to the kinaesthetic and affective nature of knowing gained in and through different spatio-temporal contexts and can, in turn, be mobilised in others.Originality/valueOnly a few studies have conceptualised co-creation in relation to a spatio-temporal phenomenon. Notably, this study connects co-creation with mobilities and thus constructs a novel view of knowledge and value creation.

Drawing on the theory of engagement, the present study aims to examine the outcomes of participation in value co-creation in soft sports tourism, specifically hiking. To this end, the current research links the relationship marketing literature to tourism research and formulates a novel framework by incorporating tourists’ participation in value co-creation, brand evangelism, customer empowerment, and affective commitment in an integrated conceptual model. Using a quantitative research design, a total of 893 international tourists were surveyed in China. The findings revealed that participation in value co-creation dimensions positively impact brand evangelism, customer empowerment, and affective commitment. Additionally, we found that customer empowerment and affective commitment positively affect brand evangelism. We also confirmed the mediating effect of customer empowerment and affective commitment in bridging the participation in value co-creation and brand evangelism. This study offers valuable insights for brand managers regarding attracting and engaging foreign travelers with their service businesses.

The twenty-first century has been full of fundamental changes in consumers’ behavior patterns, especially with the use of diverse social media knowledge-sharing platforms. Therefore, companies have highlighted the significance of knowledge sharing and the importance of social network use in purchasing processes. Accordingly, his paper tries to reveal how consumer purchase behavior (CPB) can be affected by consumer knowledge sharing behavior (CKSB) and the moderating role played by value co-creation dimensions, which are citizenship behavior (CB) and participation behavior (PB), within a sustainable e-commerce field. To test our hypotheses deducted from the literature review, we opted for the PLS-SEM method. We also employed other innovative approaches, such as the IPMA matrix, MAICOM test, FIMIX approach, and CTA analysis, to evaluate the outer and inner model. Our statistical population covered individuals living in Hungary with at least one online purchase involvement. We distributed the questionnaire via various online platforms and, finally, 433 completed questionnaires were prepared for analysis. The results showed that CPB, CB, and PB are positively influenced by the CKSB. However, the link between CPB and CB was not confirmed. As for the moderating role of gender, the permutation test was applied to compare male and female groups and see the difference between them. With a focus on CKSB, this study contributes to the success of international marketing strategies to attain higher competitive advantages.

ABSTRACT Travel has become a synonym of living memorable and enjoyable experiences. Co-creation centralizes tourists’ role in the creation of value that results from the interaction with other destination stakeholders and the physical environment. Within the wider destination experience, the growing interest tourists show regarding the food and wine experience is notorious, due to its distinctive, multisensory and engaging nature. However, conceptual and empirical studies on co-creation of experiences in food and wine contexts are still scarce. To address this gap, this conceptual study presents an integrative literature review of 118 articles focusing on co-creation in tourism experiences, aiming at understanding what conceptual and empirical studies have been developed in the field, and identifying the most representative dimensions of tourism co-creation, both in general tourism experience and in food and wine experiences, in particular. Based on study findings, a critical analysis is presented along with a novel framework and definition of co-creative tourism experiences, with particular relevance to food and wine tourism. Key dimensions of co-creation in food and wine experiences, namely interaction, engagement, participation and personalization, are identified as relevant for promoting involving and immersive experiences. Theoretical and managerial contributions to destination managers and local stakeholders are also discussed.

ABSTRACT Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems are the cornerstone of the healthcare industry. Looking through the combined theoretical lens of value co-creation (VCC) and the relational view, this article uses the qualitative case study methodology to get an in-depth understanding of value co-creation in EHR systems. The spirit of this study is discovery. Value co-creation perspectives of different business-unit heads within an extensive hospital system were gathered to identify: (1) the key values reciprocally co-created and recognized in a multi-unit EHR environment, and (2) critical challenges facing the implementation of EHR systems in such multi-unit environments. Based on the study results, a conceptual framework is proposed highlighting five VCC dimensions of EHR in multi-unit environments: systems & data, information, processes, relationships, and regulations.

PurposeIn general, literature recognises that co-creative experiences add value to the tourism experience, yet empirical research within food-and-wine context remains scarce. This study aims to analyse the tourists’ perceptions of the co-creation construct, their food-and-wine tourism experiences and their willingness to actively co-create in this type of experiences.Design/methodology/approachDeparting from general co-creation theoretical concepts, this research explores how they can be applied in a specific food-and-tourism context. The end goal is to formulate a model that can be applied by food-and-wine managers when they create their tourism experience. A convenience sample of 19 tourists composed by 1 focus group (5 participants) and 14 face-to-face semi-structured interviews provided data for the qualitative research to explore tourists’ perceptions of co-creation and how these perceptions can be used to create engaging and successful food-and-wine experiences.FindingsResults reveal that co-creation is perceived by tourists as one or a combination of seven categories: social interaction, novelty, creativity, social sustainability, environmental awareness, enjoyment and memorable experiences. Respondents have participated in food-and-wine activities while travelling as a complement to their tourism experience displaying more willingness to actively participate in food rather than wine experiences.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is exploratory in nature which makes the data not generalisable. The findings need further quantitative validation. Although the food-and-wine experiences were created based on existing experiences, they are composed of a different number of stages (without standardisation), which may make further statistical analysis (comparisons) difficult.Practical implicationsBy conceptualising the co-creation construct, tourism managers may use the outcome of this study to turn their experiences more environmentally friendly and to improve the creative process of the experiences. The research findings not only emphasise the significance of understanding tourists’ co-creation conceptualisation, but also indicate the importance of integrating creativity and environmental awareness dimensions into experiences. Particularly, the study develops a theoretical model supportive of the co-creation dimensions that can be applied on food-and-wine tourism contexts.Originality/valueThis study fills a gap in the literature between co-creation in tourism and its application in food-and-wine settings by highlighting the significance that co-creation has in developing tourism business experiences.