The paper "Sticky Information and the Locus of Problem Solving: Implications for Innovation" by Eric von Hippel explores how the costliness of acquiring, transferring, and using information (referred to as "sticky information") affects the location of innovation-related problem-solving activities. The author argues that when sticky information is held at a single site, problem-solving activities tend to occur there. However, when multiple sites of sticky information are required, problem-solving may iterate among these sites. When iteration costs are high, problems may be "task partitioned" into subproblems that each rely on a single site of sticky information. Additionally, efforts may be made to reduce the stickiness of information at certain sites. The paper discusses the implications of these findings for researchers and practitioners, including patterns in information diffusion, firm specialization, innovation location, and problem selection. It also highlights the potential for technological advancements, such as rapid prototyping and user-friendly software, to further influence the locus of problem-solving activities.The paper "Sticky Information and the Locus of Problem Solving: Implications for Innovation" by Eric von Hippel explores how the costliness of acquiring, transferring, and using information (referred to as "sticky information") affects the location of innovation-related problem-solving activities. The author argues that when sticky information is held at a single site, problem-solving activities tend to occur there. However, when multiple sites of sticky information are required, problem-solving may iterate among these sites. When iteration costs are high, problems may be "task partitioned" into subproblems that each rely on a single site of sticky information. Additionally, efforts may be made to reduce the stickiness of information at certain sites. The paper discusses the implications of these findings for researchers and practitioners, including patterns in information diffusion, firm specialization, innovation location, and problem selection. It also highlights the potential for technological advancements, such as rapid prototyping and user-friendly software, to further influence the locus of problem-solving activities.