Eric Von Hippel — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management
Developed the concept of user innovation
Coined the term "lead user" in 1986
Authored "The Sources of Innovation" (1988)
Member of the advisory board of Patient Innovation
Holds a Ph.D. in Innovation from Carnegie Mellon University

Biography

Eric von Hippel is an American economist and a distinguished professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He is recognized for his pioneering work in the field of innovation, specializing in the nature and economics of distributed and open innovation. Von Hippel is best known for developing the concept of user innovation, which posits that end-users, rather than manufacturers, are responsible for a significant amount of innovation.