The household sector innovation ecosystem: A framework and policy implications

Max Mulhuijzen*, Jeroen de Jong

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Household sector (HHS) innovation research shows that citizens around the globe commonly develop functionally novel goods and applications, at private cost during their leisure time. Their innovations can be useful to other citizens, inspire new lines of products, and give birth to new businesses. However, citizens also face challenges in developing and spreading their innovations, like information asymmetries, the indivisibility of required investments, and a lack of diffusion incentives. These legitimize policy interventions, but an integral overview of factors influencing HHS innovation (and diffusion) is missing. We apply an ecosystem perspective to develop an overview of the elements enabling HHS innovation (and diffusion), leading to a more integral understanding. Based on a literature search and expert interviews, our framework includes five key facilitators (human capital, innovation tools, platforms and workshops, resources and infrastructure, and producers and industry) and three environmental conditions (social capital, rules and regulation, and cultural norms and values). It provides a basis to classify the policies suggested so far, to guide data collection at the regional level, and to advance the research agenda on HHS innovation.
Original languageEnglish
Article number103268
Number of pages15
JournalTechnovation
Volume145
Early online date26 May 2025
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors

Keywords

  • Household sector innovation
  • Innovation ecosystem
  • Innovation policy
  • User innovation

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