Short answer
When developing a new product or service, prioritize the co-development of supporting business processes and consider how to build trust and empower users within the ecosystem.
- Field
- Innovation & Markets
- Source
- Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics (2022)
- Method
- Case Study Analysis
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Integrating new business processes with technological advancements, termed co-invention, is crucial for transforming innovative technologies like print-on-demand into valuable, scalable commercial services. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2022 study published in Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics. Using Case study analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When developing a new product or service, prioritize the co-development of supporting business processes and consider how to build trust and empower users within the ecosystem.
Co-invention Drives Costless Personalization in Print-on-Demand Clothing
Integrating new business processes with technological advancements, termed co-invention, is crucial for transforming innovative technologies like print-on-demand into valuable, scalable commercial services.
Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics · 2022
Key Findings
- 01Co-invention of business processes is essential for realizing the commercial value of new technologies like print-on-demand.
- 02Platforms that foster trust and provide discretion to creators (e.g., graphic artists) can overcome coordination challenges in multi-sided markets.
- 03A hierarchical approach to co-inventing business processes is effective for building large-scale, novel platforms.
Application
Design takeaway
When developing a new product or service, prioritize the co-development of supporting business processes and consider how to build trust and empower users within the ecosystem.
How to apply
When conceptualizing a new product that relies on novel technology, simultaneously map out the necessary business processes, customer interactions, and creator engagement strategies.
Project actions
- 01When researching a new product idea, think about the entire business system, not just the physical product.
- 02Consider how your design project can involve users or creators in a way that builds trust and adds value.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a clear framework (co-invention) for understanding platform success.
- +Uses a relevant case study (Threadless) to illustrate theoretical concepts.
Limitations
The specific co-inventions for one platform might not directly apply to another due to different market conditions or target audiences.
Reliability & validity
The case study approach provides depth but may limit generalizability. The findings are based on the interpretation of a specific platform's development.
Think critically
To what extent can a successful business model compensate for less sophisticated technology in a co-invention scenario?
Design Principles
"Technological innovation is amplified by the co-invention of complementary business processes."
This research highlights that successful product innovation isn't solely about the technology itself, but also about the strategic development of complementary business models and processes. For designers and businesses, understanding and implementing co-invention can unlock new market opportunities and create competitive advantages.
What This Means for Your Design
To make new technology like custom t-shirt printing successful, you need to invent new ways of doing business alongside it, not just focus on the printing machine itself.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the strategic development of your product or service, particularly how you've considered business processes alongside design features.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The successful commercialization of innovative technologies, such as print-on-demand clothing, is significantly influenced by the 'co-invention' of complementary business processes. Research by Greenstein (2022) highlights that integrating new business models with technological advancements is crucial for transforming nascent technologies into valuable, scalable services. This suggests that for any design project involving new technology, a parallel development of supporting operational and market strategies is essential for achieving market viability and competitive advantage.
Source
Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics
Creating a platform for costless personalization in clothing
journal · 2022
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about co-invention drives costless personalization in print-on-demand clothing?
- When developing a new product or service, prioritize the co-development of supporting business processes and consider how to build trust and empower users within the ecosystem. Evidence: Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics (2022).
- Why does "Co-invention Drives Costless Personalization in Print-on-Demand Clothing" matter for design?
- This research highlights that successful product innovation isn't solely about the technology itself, but also about the strategic development of complementary business models and processes. For designers and businesses, understanding and implementing co-invention can unlock new market opportunities and create competitive advantages.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When developing a new product or service, prioritize the co-development of supporting business processes and consider how to build trust and empower users within the ecosystem.
- What were the main findings?
- Co-invention of business processes is essential for realizing the commercial value of new technologies like print-on-demand.. Platforms that foster trust and provide discretion to creators (e.g., graphic artists) can overcome coordination challenges in multi-sided markets.. A hierarchical approach to co-inventing business processes is effective for building large-scale, novel platforms.
- What research method was used?
- Case Study Analysis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2022 journal from Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When conceptualizing a new product that relies on novel technology, simultaneously map out the necessary business processes, customer interactions, and creator engagement strategies.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on a specific pioneering platform, and findings may not be universally generalizable to all print-on-demand services.