HomeResearch & Knowledgeback to Homeback to Research & KnowledgeQuirky + GE: The ultimate disruption in the consumer gadget space?back to

Case Study

Quirky + GE: The ultimate disruption in the consumer gadget space?

By Howard H. Yu

10 pages

December 2013

Order this case study

Reference: IMD-7-1522

New York based Quirky leverages the power of the crowd, donated patents, and rapid prototyping to create niche products on demand. GE has become a strategic investor in Quirky and providing the firm access to its patent library. Is it the future of consumer product manufacturing? The case is written to illustrate the circumstances where crowdsourcing and open innovation are particularly powerful to business development.

Learning Objective

To discern the circumstances when crowd sourcing and open innovation are applicable to a business opportunity and how to set up the right system to mobilize a community of users.

Keywords

Open Innovation, Crowdfunding, Disruptive Technology, Platform, Crowdsourcing

Settings

Northern America, United States of America
2013

Type

Published Sources

Available Languages

English

IMD case studies are distributed through case clearing houses. In order to browse the collection and purchase copies please visit the links below.

The Case Centre

Cranfield University

Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]

Harvard Business School Publishing

60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]

Asia Pacific Case Center

NUCB Business School

1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]

IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Keep reading

Article

Longer working lives - Reshaping careers

Longer working lives are reshaping careers and organizations. Avivah Wittenberg-Cox explores how individuals and businesses can prepare to thrive in a century of longevity.

Human Resources

By Avivah Wittenberg-Cox

in I by IMD

Article

Why Tesla fell behind BYD, and why catching up won’t be easy

China’s BYD has pulled ahead of Tesla, becoming the world’s biggest maker of fully electric vehicles (EVs). The shift reflects more than the fortunes of the two companies. Tesla’s dethroning shows how China’s EV sector, built around dense supplier...

Supply Chain

By Mark J. Greeven

in South China Morning Post

8 February 2026

Article

Why the economic selfishness of middle power countries is an asset

After being hit with US tariffs that climbed to 50 per cent over its purchases of Russian oil, India has now struck a deal with the world’s largest economy to cut those duties to 18 per cent, sending the rupee and local markets sharply higher. All...

Economics Geopolitics

By Arturo Bris

in The National

8 February 2026

Article

Get Fit for 2026: Why execution beats expenditure

Why execution over expenditure defines 2026 readiness, as future-ready companies design adaptable supply chains and operating models for rapid regulation shifts.

How to successfully exit a business

Why the way you leave a company can shape your legacy as much as your tenure. Explore how to successfully exit a business.

Leadership Strategy

By Lea Wang, Jung Eung Park and Benoit F. Leleux

in I by IMD

Case Study

On Running: Greenwash alert

Sustainability Crisis Management Entrepreneurship

By Benoit F. Leleux and Dina Zubkova

Article

Family due diligence - Joining the board

Before joining a family business board, directors need family due diligence. Explore five lenses to assess governance, power, alignment, and risk.

Corporate Governance Family Business

By Estelle Métayer and Marleen Dieleman

in I by IMD

Article

Facing the AI onslaught, young workers need a new skill: Humility

Entry-level roles give new recruits an opportunity to develop intuition and judgment. But a lack of humility could be stunting the development of future leaders.

10 ways AI can support learning and skills resilience (or not)

AI can do plenty in terms of learning and skills development – but educators and talent leaders also need to understand what AI tools should not be used for.

By Michael D. Watkins

in I by IMD

Article

10 ways AI can support learning and skills resilience (or not)

AI can do plenty in terms of learning and skills development – but educators and talent leaders also need to understand what AI tools should not be used for.

Artificial Intelligence Organizational Learning

By Michael D. Watkins

in I by IMD Brain Circuits

5 February 2026

Why the economic selfishness of middle power countries is an asset

By Arturo Bris
in The National 8 February 2026

Summary

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Economics

Geopolitics

Browse all topics

On Running: Greenwash alert

By Benoit F. Leleux and Dina Zubkova
Case reference: IMD-7-2604 ©2026

Summary

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND), 14 JUNE 2024. The sustainability team at On had been on high alert as TV journalists were once again investigating some of its sustainability claims. Founded in 2010 by former Swiss Ironman champion Olivier Bernhard, the company rapidly gained a reputation among professional athletes, in particular triathletes, for its proprietary cushioning technology. On’s sales grew exponentially, as did its reputation, particularly when Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer became a significant shareholder and company advocate in 2019. Listed on the NYSE, the company reported CHF 1.79 billion in revenues in 2023. Its impact reports vaunted its ambition to “be the thought and action leader on sustainability in the sportswear industry.” The TV program tore apart the sustainability claims of the Cloudneo Cyclon, On’s first running shoe with a circular claim and 100% recyclability. Having investigated the firm’s supply chain, the journalists identified high risk manufacturing practices in the heart of Marseille (France), underpaid Vietnamese workers and recyclability that was still a distant dream. The sustainability team now has to enter crisis management mode and craft a proper response to journalists’ serious allegations.

Reference IMD-7-2604

Organization On

Industry Consumer Goods, Sports Footwear

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications