Patients as Innovators: An Empirical Study of Patients’ Role in Innovation in the Healthcare Industry

This dissertation investigates two distinct but interrelated phenomena of user innovation and user co-creation in a healthcare context. We explore the role of patients (end users of healthcare products and services) as both co-creators in the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries and their role as patient (user) innovators. To do this, we utilize both qualitative and quantitative research methods. This dissertation is divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the topic of the PhD dissertation. In Chapter 2 we discuss the theoretical background, identify research gaps, and present the specific research objectives and methodologies that will be addressed in the articles that constitute chapters 3, 4, and 5. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 present the three papers. Chapter 6 concludes on the overarching theme and provides an integrated discussion of theoretical contributions, managerial implications, limitations, and future research opportunities examined in the articles that compose chapters 3, 4, and 5.