COVID-19 has been the most important pandemic that hit the world in the last century. An overwhelming number of initiatives aimed to save lives and protect humanity came out especially at the beginning of the health crisis, following an outside the box approach to address relevant R&D problems. Digital makers, not surprisingly, have been part of the game. Being masters in using digital technologies for customized products, and being strategically fitted to cope with the imperative to be fast, many of the players on the front line to fight the pandemic have looked at them as the ‘providers next to the door’ able to offer fast solutions to critical problems. Based on these premises and adopting frugal innovation as theoretical base, the aim of the study is to analyze how digital makers have taken part in R&D processes to find solutions to the problems created by an exogenous and unexpected sanitary problem. Through an in-depth case study, we provide insights on if and how frugal approach to innovation is adapt to cope with the extraordinary pressure coming from event like the COVID-19. The results of the study highlight the power of connecting frugal innovation principles, agile mindset of makers and open innovation strategies in providing effective solutions on a local scale and eventually exploit their potential global impact. Furthermore, we highlight implications and pathways for future researches.

中文翻译：

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如何在大流行事件期间拯救世界。节俭创新的案例研究

COVID-19 是上个世纪袭击世界的最重要的流行病。大量旨在拯救生命和保护人类的举措出现了，尤其是在健康危机开始时，采用了打破常规的方法来解决相关的研发问题。毫不奇怪，数字制造商已经成为游戏的一部分。作为在定制产品中使用数字技术的高手，并且在战略上适合应对快速的必要性，许多抗击大流行第一线的参与者都将他们视为“门口的供应商”为关键问题提供快速解决方案。基于这些前提，以节俭创新为理论基础，本研究旨在分析数字创客如何参与研发。D 寻找解决由外源性和意外卫生问题造成的问题的方法。通过深入的案例研究，我们提供了有关节俭的创新方法是否以及如何适应以应对 COVID-19 等事件带来的巨大压力的见解。研究结果强调了将节俭创新原则、创客敏捷思维和开放式创新战略联系起来的力量，以在当地范围内提供有效的解决方案，并最终利用其潜在的全球影响。此外，我们强调了未来研究的意义和途径。研究结果强调了将节俭创新原则、创客敏捷思维和开放式创新战略联系起来的力量，以在当地范围内提供有效的解决方案，并最终利用其潜在的全球影响。此外，我们强调了未来研究的意义和途径。研究结果强调了将节俭创新原则、创客敏捷思维和开放式创新战略联系起来的力量，以在当地范围内提供有效的解决方案，并最终利用其潜在的全球影响。此外，我们强调了未来研究的意义和途径。