Research Policy Vol. 55 No. 8 2026
‘Systems of use’: A lens to more deeply study user innovation
Abstract
I propose that the concept of ‘systems of use’ can be a valuable lens for more deeply understanding user innovation processes and outcomes. I define a system of use as a group of components that interact during use to accomplish a system-level goal. Each component, which may be a physical or digital product, or a human behavior, plays a role in a specific system of use by accepting inputs, processing them, and providing outputs within and beyond that system. To date, research on innovation has largely focused on the nature of, and innovative history of, and value of specific product innovations. A system of use perspective adds a focus onto the contexts within whichspecific innovations function. This altered focus, in turn, draws attention to related adaptations and innovations that are often required to integrate specific innovations into such systems. Specifically, a system focus can highlight behavioral system of use components that are often overlooked - especially when they are diffused peer-to-peer rather than being sold on markets. Further, a system focus can document the often rapid changes that end users may make to their own systems of use as they adapt to new circumstances, but without changing the major product components that are normally tracked as a way to identify system change.
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.respol.2026.105534
- Volume
- 55
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 105534
- Language
- en
- Sources
- crossref openalex