Guest Editorial: Open Innovation and Social Product Development

In today's competitive marketplace, the ability to create new products and introduce innovative enhancements to existing ranges is seen as one of the strongest driving forces responsible for sustained sales of manufactured goods. In recent years, customers have become far more demanding in their selection of products and are now seeking greater satisfaction and more value for money than ever before [1]. Consequently, markets have become more aggressive and more challenging for manufacturers. When introducing new products to marketplaces, manufacturers have incorporated innovative product development (IPD) in their operational strategies, with the aim of offering new or enhanced concepts more effectively and efficiently