"Innovating Is Fun":Motivations to Participate in Online Open Innovation Communities

Online open innovation communities offer customers an environment where they can participate in companies' product and service development. In aim to attract and to commit customers to participate in those communities it is important to understand their motivations to participate. In this empirical case study we focus on exploring and understanding users' motivations to participate in online open innovation communities. The study focuses on three online open innovation communities: CrowdSpirit, FellowForce and Owela. Data was gathered using maintainer interviews and a web survey for members. The results show that intellectual challenges and fun are top motivations to participate. Also interest towards innovation, possibility to influence and creativity were regarded important. Maintainers stated that being in touch with interesting companies is one of the members' motivation factors. Yet, the members in cases did not seem to regard gaining professional benefits and enhancing one's career as central motivator