The research evolves around two types of company engagement: comparative studies
and collaborative projects. Rather than build a large contingent of partner
companies, we will collaborate with fewer (six to ten) companies, but in much
closer partnership. To ensure constant interaction with industry and the relevance
of the research to company practices, the Centre has formed links on four levels:
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International corporations with user-driven innovation expertise: Intel Corporation,
Pitney Bowes,Philips Research. ReD Associates represent a Danish consultancy
successfully working with large international clients.
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Large Danish corporations with some experience in userdriven innovation: Danfoss
(industry controls), Novo Nordisk (insuline devices), Oticon (hearing aids). 180°
Academy is a private post-graduate education in user-driven innovation, primarily
addressing larger corporations.
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Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs): Focon (train information systems). The
two regional company clusters: Mechatronics and Health Care provide access to a
broader range of SMEs.
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Start-up companies: Syddanske Forskerparker houses start-up enterprises in Sønderborg
and Vejle. The close, long-term collaboration with a variety of companies allows
for comparative studies and assessment of impact across nationalities and
organisational cultures.