Title: Why space matters for collaborative innovation networks: on designing enabling spaces for collaborative knowledge creation

Authors: Markus F. Peschl; Thomas Fundneider

Addresses: Cognitive Science Research Platform, University of Vienna, Universitätsstrasse 7, A 1010 Wien, Austria ' theLivingCore GmbH, Mariahilferstr. 1D, 1060 Wien, Austria

Abstract: As opposed to managing or controlling innovation processes, this paper proposes the notion of enabling as a more suitable approach to innovation. As a consequence, the concept of enabling spaces is introduced as a space that is designed in such a way that it enables and facilitates processes of collaborative knowledge creation and innovation. In that context, a rather broad notion of space is applied: it goes far beyond architectural/physical space by integrating social, cognitive, emotional, organisational, and epistemological dimensions in an interdisciplinary manner. Both the theoretical background and the methodological approach and design process will be presented. Furthermore, we will discuss a case for an enabling space which functions as a collaborative innovation network. It will turn out that enabling spaces and collaborative innovation networks (COINs) share a lot of characteristics, attitudes, and values.

Keywords: cognition; collaboration; design; enabling spaces; extended cognition; collaborative innovation networks; enabling spaces; collaborative knowledge creation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJODE.2014.065072

International Journal of Organisational Design and Engineering, 2014 Vol.3 No.3/4, pp.358 - 391

Published online: 25 Oct 2014 *

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