Action-oriented framework for user-driven technology innovation: a co-creation perspective

User involvement is crucial for designing technological products with “real-world potential” in the digital transformation realm. The existing tacit consensus on user-driven innovation suggests users' proactive role in information sharing and rather a passive role of firms restricted mainly by users' information receiving. However, the importance of translating users' information into concrete technological product features and integrating new users' knowledge in the product development process is salient for firms. The present research theoretically derives the action-oriented framework based on the adapted linear communication model and empirically tests it in the context of technological product development within a startup. The study contributes to innovation management literature and co-creation research stream by enlarging understanding of the role of a firm in user-driven innovation. Furthermore, the study provides the action-oriented framework “listen-think-do” that enables the transformation of valuable users' information into firms' actions and new product development.