Co-creating innovations with users: A systematic literature review and future research agenda for project management

Abstract

This study aimed to systematically review the extensive literature on user innovation co-creation and connect the findings to the project management domain. It focused specifically on new product development, offering a domain-based systematic review of methods, tools, and user types involved in the co-creation process. Analyzing a total of 266 articles, the authors synthesize the types of users and methods discussed in the domain of user innovation, aligning them across the new product development cycle and specific phases of co-innovation. Additionally, the authors formulate research questions and propositions that may inspire the project management domain. This study provides insights into innovation-oriented, exploratory project management and enhances the configuration approach to project management. From a practical perspective, it provides a comprehensive overview of methods that can enrich a managerial toolkit for leading innovative projects.