Information gathering from sources outside the company plays a critical role in most innovation projects. Particularly, it seems promising to approach external market experts to develop an indepth understanding of current use problems, changing customer needs and trends for new product solutions. When planning expert interviews, firms are confronted with the question whether knowledge is distributed rather homogeneously or heterogeneously ("scattered") among a pool of experts. This issue strongly determines how many experts need to be interviewed in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of a given search field for innovation. In the present paper we analyse expert interviews that were conducted in the context of an innovation project in the field of surgical hygiene products. We find high heterogeneity of expert knowledge: Market experts in our sample vary in terms of market information they provide for the particular product field. We argue that this finding is in alignment with the concept of "bounded rationality" and the theory of "contextual development of knowledge". Our findings have implications for the management of external information gathering and the identification of market experts.(author's abstract)

This thesis looks to explore from a user-centered standpoint, which mobile application features are relevant in the social integration of new arrivals in Sweden. Mobiles are used by individuals who are moving away from home not only to stay connected to their close ones but also as a way for empowerment and adaption in their new homes. Access to information helps immigrants to face the new challenges new host societies present. Nowadays mobiles and more specifically smartphones are becoming the principal sources for new arrivals to obtain information. As mobiles become more common among immigration groups, governments and institutions are turning to them as new ways for addressing migration challenges such as integration. This thesis, through a participatory design study, explores possible mobile digital application features that could be relevant in the social integration of immigrants. The goal is to develop through a cooperative and co-design method a prototype of a mobile application that can fit better with the necessities of new arrivals and can also facilitate better ways for social integration. As a result, it could be determinate that features that provide users the ability to gather information from one source are the most important for immigrants. Additionally, users want to be able to have control over the information they are receiving according to what phase they are at the integration process. Also, digital features seem not to be enough and digital and offline cooperation are suggested. In the process, participants provided innovative ways on how integration challenges can be addressed.

Syfte Syftet med denna uppsats var att identifiera begränsningarna som företag i tidigt skede stöter på vid involvering av användare i produktutvecklingsprocessen. De huvudsakliga begränsningarna för användarcentrerad design samt på vilka sätt dessa kan arbetas runt presenteras och diskuteras. Ett ramverk för effektiva samarbeten med användare presenteras, vilket företag som befinner sig i ett tidigt skede kan följa för att skapa innovativa teknikprodukter. Design/metod Denna studie har till största del genomförts i form av ett flertal praktiska experiment där användare deltagit och bidragit till nya produktkoncept på Shortcut Labs som är en svensk startup. Tillvägagångssättet skedde enligt s.k. ’black box testing’ där ingen klar hypotes användes för varje experiment utan datan från varje steg kom till användning vid planeringen av nästa. Resultat Studien visar att många av begränsningarna för användarcentrerad design som identifierats i tidigare forskning och litteratur gäller även för ett företag i tidigt skede. Därtill tyddliggörs varför ’lead user’-metoden innebär vissa svårigheter för unga tillverkande företag av konsumentprodukter. Ramverket som presenteras som ett resultat av de utförda experimenten är en steg-för-steg guide som ett tillverkande företag i tidigt skede kan följa för att effektivt dra nytta av de olika typer av användare som kan involveras i en produktutvecklingsprocess. Avgränsningar/konsekvenser Tidsramen och omfattningen av studien innebar att det presenterade ramverket endast är framtaget för produktutvecklingsprocessens initiala faser; idégenerering samt konceptutvecklingsfaserna. Den begränsade urvalsgruppen samt mindre mängden av användare kan ha bidragit till snedvridning av insamlad data. Bland utvecklingsmöjligheter för forskning i ämnet föreslås en fortsättning på studien genom produktutvecklingens alla faser inklusive produktlansering. Originalitet/värde Marknaden för IoT-relaterade produkter är fortfarande i sin linda. Studien birdrar till existerande forskning kring användarinvolvering genom att belysa hur detta fungerar för företag i tidiga skeden inom marknaden för sakernas internet. Genomförandet beskrivs ur utvecklingsteamets perspektiv för att se hur man kan skapa innovativa produkter som möter en allt mer krävande användare hårdare marknad. / Purpose The purpose of this thesis was to identify what limitations early stage companies face when involving users in a new product development process. The main limitations of a user centered design approach are stated and solutions or modifications to these limitations are suggested and discussed. A framework that incorporates the proposed solutions was produced that suggests an outline for an effective process that early stage companies can follow if they aim to create innovative products for the IoT market. Design/methodology/approach The research was conducted by first hand experimental research involving users to produce a new product concept at Shortcut Labs, an early stage ‘startup’ company. The experimental ‘black box testing’ approach used was necessary as it allowed the authors to perform experimental studies, based on a non-hypothetical question, to determine the motivation for the next stage. Findings The research conducted found that many of the previously identified limitations of a user centered design approach held true in an early stage company. In addition, key sections of the lead user method are not applicable in an early stage consumer product company due to the market area and substantial resource requirements. The framework produced as a result of the experimental approach proposes a step by step guide in which consumer orientated early stage companies can follow to effectively leverage the inputs from multiple types of users when undertaking an NPD project. Research limitations/implications The limited sample size and locality bias of the involved users was a constraint. Furthermore, the timeframe and scope of the thesis meant that this framework is only applicable during the ideation and concept development stages. Further work is required to establish how to effectively involve users through the remaining phases until product launch. Originality/value The IoT market in which this thesis was conducted is rapidly developing and still in its infancy. Little previous work had been conducted in user involvement specifically for early stage companies or this market. The study looks through the lens of a project development team in order to provide insights to better develop innovative products that meet the needs of an ever more demanding user.