Award Winner 2017
Eric von Hippel
USA
MIT Sloan School of Management
Eric von Hippel was one of the first scientists to recognize the importance of users as a source of ideas for innovation and the development of new products. Certain users have stronger needs for improved product performance than other users on the market or feel a specific need earlier than others do. Such so-called “lead users” typically try to improve existing products themselves, rather than waiting for manufacturers to innovate. Companies can benefit from lead users by involving them in the innovation process and, if possible, putting their innovation proposals into mass production.
Research by Eric von Hippel and his colleagues has shown that lead users are responsible for the majority of innovation, especially in the development of scientific equipment and banking services.
In addition to the theory of lead users, Professor von Hippel has also made important contributions to the research of open source innovations. In his book "Free Innovation", Professor von Hippel describes how innovations are developed by users and then made available to others free of charge. Such free innovations increase the social welfare of economies.
Award Winner Prof. Eric von Hippel, Ph.D. (Photo: Mutzberg)
(f.l.t.r.) Prof. Dr. Peter Witt, Prof. Eric von Hippel, Ph.D., Prof. Dr. Nils Crasselt, Prof. Dr. Lambert T. Koch, Prof. Dr. Norbert Koubek (Photo: Mutzberg)
Curriculum Vitae
Education:
2013 Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg, Ph.D. (Hon)
2007 Copenhagen Business School, Ph.D. (Hon)
2004 Ludwig-Maximilliams Universität München, Ph.D. (Hon)
1974 Carnegie Mellon University, Ph.D.
1966 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, S.M.
1964 Harvard College, B.A.
since 2006 T. Wilson Professor of Management, MIT-Sloan School of Management
and
Professor of Engineering Systems, MIT
Excerpt from: https://evhippel.mit.edu/cv/
Award ceremony, June 30th, 2017:
Greetings:
Prof. Dr. Nils Crasselt, Dean of the Schumpeter School of Business and Economics
Prof. Dr. Lambert T. Koch, President of the University of Wuppertal
Prof. Dr. Norbert Koubek, Chairman of the Schumpeter School Foundation
Jürgen Büssow, Former President of the Administrative District
Laudatio:
Prof. Dr. Peter Witt, Chair of Technology and Innovation Management
Further information and current publications of the prize-winner can be found here:
