The Constructs of the Living Labs Innovation Platform

380 Pages·2015·2.41 MB·English

The Constructs of the Living Labs Innovation Platform

by

Christ Habib

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral
Affairs in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Applied Science

in

Technology Innovation Management

Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario

© 2015, Christ Habib
Abstract

Despite the growing popularity of using living labs as an innovation platform, little is
known about their characteristics. This research uses a case study approach with content
analysis to identify a list of key attributes that help define the concept of living labs.
Drawing upon the literatures on user innovation, co-creation, and living labs, theoretical
constructs were used to guide the investigation of living lab applications that are
publically available through the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) website.

The results from the research produced nine constructs that give insight into living labs.
These constructs reflect both qualified pre-existing notions and disqualified notions of
living labs, such as the objective, the degree to which users are involved, and the legal
structure for operations. They bring about significant new knowledge regarding the
nature of living labs, including their modes of communication, their purposes, handling
of intellectual property, and generation of funds.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all TIM professors, especially my thesis supervisor, Dr. Mika
Westerlund: your constant support, encouragements and motivations are very inspiring
and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from and work with you.

I would like to thank my fellow colleagues who have shared their knowledge and
experience, personifying the collaborative culture of living labs and edifying me as an
individual.

To my family, especially my loving parents: you encouraged me to persevere, inspired
me to pursue my dreams and supported me throughout my educational journey. I am
forever grateful and appreciative of everything you have ever done for me. I love you.

Lastly, to my friends: the moments we shared, the adventures we pursued and the
memories we made will make these past years forever unforgettable. I look forward to
the future we have together and the new memories we will forge.

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Table of Contents

Abstract .............................................................................................................................. ii
Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... iii
Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. v
List of Tables .................................................................................................................... xi
List of Figures .................................................................................................................. xii
List of Appendices .......................................................................................................... xiv
1 Chapter: Introduction ................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Objectives and Deliverables ............................................................................................. 11
1.3 Relevance ......................................................................................................................... 12
1.4 Contribution ...................................................................................................................... 13
1.5 Thesis Structure ................................................................................................................ 14
2 Chapter: Literature Review ..................................................................................... 16
2.1 The Modern Dilemma ...................................................................................................... 17
2.2 User-Innovation ................................................................................................................ 20
2.2.1 Tool-kits to Outsource Innovation ............................................................................ 22
2.2.2 User Communities: Source of Innovation via Tool Kits ........................................... 24
2.2.3 Motivating and Managing Contribution ................................................................... 26
2.2.4 Benefits of User Innovation ...................................................................................... 28
2.2.5 Business Appropriation of Innovation User Communities ....................................... 29
2.2.6 Conclusion of User Innovation ................................................................................. 30
2.3 Co-creation ....................................................................................................................... 31
2.3.1 Co-Creation Community ........................................................................................... 32
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2.3.2 Benefits of Co-Creation ............................................................................................ 34
2.3.3 Outsourcing Innovation in the Value Chain ............................................................. 35
2.3.4 Managing Motivation for Contribution ..................................................................... 36
2.3.5 Co-creation Methodology ......................................................................................... 38
2.4 Living Labs ....................................................................................................................... 40
2.4.1 Living Labs Objectives ............................................................................................. 41
2.4.2 Stakeholders and Actors ............................................................................................ 43
2.4.2.1 Users .................................................................................................................. 44
2.4.2.2 Small Firms and Designers ................................................................................ 45
2.4.2.3 Researchers ........................................................................................................ 46
2.4.3 Collaborative Culture ................................................................................................ 47
2.4.4 Resource and Financial Characteristics .................................................................... 50
2.4.5 Living Lab Methods .................................................................................................. 50
2.4.5.1 Living Lab Procedures ....................................................................................... 51
2.4.5.2 Obtaining, Motivating and Training Participants .............................................. 54
2.4.5.3 Data Collection .................................................................................................. 55
2.4.6 Collaboration Tools ................................................................................................... 56
2.4.7 Benefits ..................................................................................................................... 56
2.4.7.1 Innovative Ideas ................................................................................................. 59
2.4.7.2 Networking Opportunities and Framework ....................................................... 59
2.4.7.3 Market Development and Validation ................................................................. 60
2.4.7.4 Financial Mitigation and Access to Resources .................................................. 61
2.4.7.5 Effective and Efficient Processes ...................................................................... 61
2.4.7.6 Better Products and Knowledge ........................................................................ 62
2.5 Constructs Synthesized from Literature ........................................................................... 62
2.5.1 Lessons from User-Innovation .................................................................................. 67
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2.5.2 Lessons from Co-Creation ........................................................................................ 67
2.5.3 Lessons from Living Labs ......................................................................................... 68
3 Chapter: Methods ..................................................................................................... 69
3.1 Approach .......................................................................................................................... 69
3.2 Unit of Analysis ................................................................................................................ 71
3.3 Study Period ..................................................................................................................... 72
3.4 Research Steps and Methodology .................................................................................... 72
3.4.1 Getting Started .......................................................................................................... 73
3.4.2 Selecting Cases ......................................................................................................... 74
3.4.3 Crafting Instruments and Protocols ........................................................................... 76
3.4.4 Entering the Field ...................................................................................................... 76
3.4.5 Analyzing Data ......................................................................................................... 77
3.4.6 Shaping of Constructs ............................................................................................... 81
3.4.7 Enfolding Literature .................................................................................................. 81
3.4.8 Reaching Closure ...................................................................................................... 81
4 Chapter: Methods ..................................................................................................... 83
4.1 Literature Constructs ........................................................................................................ 83
4.2 Case Study Profiles .......................................................................................................... 85
4.3 Constructs Synthesized from Case Studies ...................................................................... 85
4.3.1 Objective Construct ................................................................................................... 88
4.3.2 Governance Construct ............................................................................................... 92
4.3.3 Philosophy Construct ................................................................................................ 95
4.3.3.1 IPR Management ............................................................................................... 96
4.3.3.2 Cultural Topics ................................................................................................ 100
4.3.4 Stakeholder Construct ............................................................................................. 103
4.3.5 Funding Construct ................................................................................................... 104
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4.3.5.1 Sources of Revenue ......................................................................................... 106
4.3.6 Advantages Construct ............................................................................................. 108
4.3.7 Communication Construct ...................................................................................... 112
4.3.7.1 Online Communication .................................................................................... 114
4.3.7.2 Media Channels ............................................................................................... 116
4.3.7.3 In-Person .......................................................................................................... 118
4.3.7.4 Usage of Communication ................................................................................ 120
4.3.8 Infrastructure Construct .......................................................................................... 123
4.3.9 Methods Construct .................................................................................................. 124
4.3.9.1 Data Collection ................................................................................................ 125
4.3.9.2 Idea Generation ................................................................................................ 128
4.3.9.3 Design .............................................................................................................. 129
4.3.9.4 Facilitation ....................................................................................................... 131
5 Chapter: Discussion ................................................................................................ 133
5.1 Results from Case Study Approach and Content Analysis ............................................ 133
5.2 Construct Contributions ................................................................................................. 134
5.2.1 Living Lab Objectives ............................................................................................. 134
5.2.2 Governance Structure and Responsibility ............................................................... 137
5.2.3 Collaboration Philosophy ........................................................................................ 138
5.2.4 Stakeholders and Actors .......................................................................................... 140
5.2.5 Financial Structure .................................................................................................. 141
5.2.6 Benefits of Living Labs ........................................................................................... 142
5.2.7 Communication Resources ..................................................................................... 143
5.2.8 Operational Infrastructure ....................................................................................... 143
5.2.9 Living Lab Methods ................................................................................................ 144
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6 Chapter: Conclusion, Limitations and Future Research .................................... 147
6.1 Conclusions .................................................................................................................... 147
6.1.1 Implications ............................................................................................................. 151
6.2 Limitations ...................................................................................................................... 155
6.3 Future Research .............................................................................................................. 156
Appendices ..................................................................................................................... 157
Appendix A .............................................................................................................................. 157
A.1 A Cross-Border Living Lab on Territorial Marketing .............................................. 157
A.2 BAALL ..................................................................................................................... 164
A.3 BASAKSEHIR LIVING-LAB (BLL), ISTANBUL ................................................. 166
A.4 CASALA Living Lab ................................................................................................ 169
A.5 CIMLAB CaraÄbe Innovation Martinique Living Lab ............................................ 172
A.6 City Lab Coventry ..................................................................................................... 175
A.7 Cretan and South Aegean Living Lab ....................................................................... 178
A.8 E-zavod Living Lab ................................................................................................... 181
A.9 ErgoLab, Humanizing Information Systems ............................................................. 183
A.10 Espaitec Science and Technology Park Living Lab ................................................ 187
A.11 Flemish Living Lab Platform .................................................................................. 190
A.12 Future Classroom Lab ............................................................................................. 195
A.13 Future Logistics Living Lab .................................................................................... 197
A.14 HACERIA, ZAWP BILBAO .................................................................................. 199
A.15 Hermes Living Lab ................................................................................................. 201
A.16 JF OCEANS ............................................................................................................ 205
A.17 Kielce Technology Park Living Lab ....................................................................... 207
A.18 Knowledge Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise Living Lab (KMSME LL) ......... 210
A.19 Knowledge Women Innovation Space Living Lab (KWINS LL) .......................... 214
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A.20 LabICT-PA ICT Laboratory for the Public Administration ................................... 217
A.21 LeYLab ................................................................................................................... 220
A.22 LIVING LAB CLUSTER TIC BOGOTÁ – COLOMBIA ..................................... 223
A.23 LL Campiña de Jerez .............................................................................................. 227
A.24 LUSAGE ................................................................................................................. 232
A.25 Málaga Living Lab .................................................................................................. 236
A.26 Man & Earth Living Lab ......................................................................................... 240
A.27 Middle East Digital Ecosystem Living Lab ............................................................ 244
A.28 MIMMALAB - Interactive Music Museum Living Lab ......................................... 248
A.29 Mobility Lab ............................................................................................................ 250
A.30 OFF-ROAD MEMORY .......................................................................................... 252
A.31 Pôle Numérique ....................................................................................................... 257
A.32 Regional strategic impact through open innovation and creative use of ICT (LLMidt)
261
A.33 SaMPL Cultural and Creative Living Lab .............................................................. 264
A.34 Sheffield City Region .............................................................................................. 269
A.35 SPORTIS Living Lab .............................................................................................. 272
A.36 Telecommunication Networks and integrated Services Living Lab ....................... 276
A.37 Tepebasi ‘Future Living’ Lab ................................................................................. 280
A.38 Territorial Living Lab Prealpe (TLL Prealpe) ........................................................ 284
A.39 Urban Living Lab – Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines .................................... 287
Appendix B .............................................................................................................................. 291
References ...................................................................................................................... 350

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