Managing creativity and innovation in web 2.0: Lead users as the active element of idea generation

Abstract

This paper discusses the applicability of von Hippel's lead user concept in a constellation of blogs. The lead user model represents a formal theory designed specifically for identify innovators. In order to examine the applicability of the lead user method, we proposed an approach based on Social Network Analysis. We chose blogs' constellation based on Architecture to achieve our purpose. In this perspective, Architecture is only an example of creativity and of sharing interest among the sources of innovation. The results of study indicates that the method of Social Network Analysis may be suitable for identifying the likely source of innovation. This paper illustrates the importance of quantitative approaches as tool to join theoretical and classical framework with actual growth of virtual communities, web-applications commonly associated with the term Web 2.0. © Springer-Verlag 2011.