Electronic Commerce (EC) companies are faced with a highly competitive environment today. Strengthening user engagement in digital ecosystems is a promising approach to increasing value co-creation. However, enterprise-oriented user engagement strategies examined in previous studies are relatively inadequate to meet today’s expectations. This paper looks to answer the question, “how to effectively strengthen user engagement to acquire a sustainable value co-creation system in EC.” A plausible user engagement strategy was revealed by analyzing a single case study in the music sector based on details of a digital ecosystem. Semi-structured interviews performed with company Xiami along with their users, show that the recognition of user-oriented needs and the expansion of user-driven demands are two key aspects for EC companies to maintain a sustainable growth of value co-creation.

This thesis is a product design and engineering master’s project that has been carried out in partnership with a swedish product design and greentech company. In this project, an array of data gathering and design methods were used with the goal of developing a modular solution for an indoor hydroponic micro-farm. The project also investigates the benefits and consequences of designing this type of product in this fashion. A secondary goal was set, as discovered through the research and analysis process. This goal was to investigate the possible impact that a self-sustaining microfarm has on the UX of growing plants and how it can be addressed. / Detta är en masteruppsats i produktutveckling och teknik som har utförts i samarbete med ett svenskt företag med fokus på grön teknologi. Projektet använder sig av flera typer av metoder för datainsamling och design för att ta fram en modulär lösning för en hydroponisk mikromiljö för inomhusbruk. Projektet undersöker vilka fördelar och eventuella konsekvenser en sådan typ av design för med sig. Under analysens gång har ett bimål tagits fram, nämligen att undersöka vilken möjlig påverkan en självdrivande mikromiljö har på användarupplevelsen av att ta hand om växter samt hur detta kan adresseras.