Abstract: Based on knowledge-based view, this paper investigated the differential effects of two types of customer participation (customer participation as an information provider and as a co-developer) on two types of breakthrough innovation (technology- and market-based breakthrough), and the meditating role of organizational learning. Empirical surveying from 208 high-tech firms found that (1) both two customer participations as information resource and as co-developer could enhance technology-based breakthrough; (2) while customer participation as an information provider enhances market-based breakthrough, customer participation as a co-developer attenuates market-based breakthrough; (3) while customer participation directly influences market-based breakthrough, organizational learning mediates the relationships between customer participation and technology-based breakthrough.

Key words:  customer participation, breakthrough innovation, technology-based breakthrough, market-based breakthrough, organizational learning