Second-order lead user: super innovator in user innovation – the case study of the Inno4Rare platform in China

Jin Chen and Wei Wei

Chapter 6 in Handbook on Post-Schumpeterian Innovations, 2025, pp 101-118 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Innovation is the most important resource for human beings, and only through innovation can we acquire new resources. A second-order lead user is a lead user who has a more advanced and profound understanding of needs, as well as a more solid and precise perception of needs. The characteristics of a second-order lead user are a high leading trend, medium expected benefit, high innovation value, and high perception of meaning. In addition, the most important value for a second-order lead user is that the innovation outcome can be transformed in the traditional innovation field again. It can not only solve cutting-edge technical problems in extreme fields but also solve technical problems in conventional fields. This paper retraces the theoretical origin, clarifies the connotation structure, and the application scenarios in the innovation of rare disease patients based on the proposed concept of second-order lead user. Effectively identifying second-order lead users, effectively stimulating their innovation motivation in practice, and giving key attention to their innovation results and secondary cross-border transformation are of great value for creatively solving complex problems, solving technical difficulties, building a better home for human beings, and promoting the developmental process of human civilization.

Keywords: Second-order Lead User; Theoretical Connotation; Meaning Perception; Secondary Conversion; Application Situation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035322503
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