The evolution of modularity and architectural innovation: web-enabled collective development of a tangible artefact

Giuseppe Carignani, Pierpaolo Andriani and Alberto Felice De Toni

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2011, vol. 14, issue 4, 333-355

Abstract: Can a web-based community of peers autonomously engage in architectural innovation and develop tangible products? We present a theoretical framework that builds upon the idea of product modularisation as a knowledge management tool enabling community collaboration. The framework consists of a community meta-model and a product meta-model; some mechanisms enabling collective innovation are also presented as part of the framework. We then apply the theoretical framework to the real case of a high-performance human powered watercraft showing how the community was able to innovate the artefact evolving its modular architecture.

Keywords: collective intelligence; modularity; open source; product architecture; open manufacturing; user innovation; architectural innovation; web-enabled development; collective development; tangible artefacts; virtual communities; web based communities; online communities; internet; world wide web; peer communities; peers; autonomous engagement; tangible products; theoretical frameworks; product modularisation; KM; knowledge management; community collaboration; meta-models; collective innovation; Open Waterbike Project; pedal-power; high-performance watercrafts; human powered boats; entrepreneurship; innovation management; social media; user communities. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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