Photo Credit: mecredis

Ever hacked a game or unlocked a cell phone? Relax. According to a new, award-winning study from researchers at Simon Fraser University, companies should be thankful rather than angry with you.

The study, entitled “Creative Consumers: Awareness, Attitude & Action – Instrument & Preliminary Results,” investigated the role of so-called “creative consumers”—those inquisitive users who take it upon themselves to modify, alter and hack the propriety products of technology companies like Apple and Microsoft.

The researchers found that these (unapproved) user-initiatives to modify products, such as unlocking an Apple iPhone, are actually helpful to the companies. According to the researchers, those with the will and know-how to tinker with certain technologies often make changes that the company itself may not have realized consumers wanted.

Using the example of podcasting, the researchers show how creative consumers are impacting the business world. According to the study, it . . . → Read More: Creative consumers: SFU study advises companies to embrace techno-tinkerers