Title: Living Labs as open innovation systems for knowledge exchange: solutions for sustainable innovation development

Authors: Dimitri Schuurman; Bastiaan Baccarne; Lieven De Marez; Carina Veeckman; Pieter Ballon

Addresses: iMinds Research Group for Media and ICT (MICT), Communications Department, Ghent University, Korte Meer 7-9-11, 9000 Gent, Belgium ' iMinds Research Group for Media and ICT (MICT), Communications Department, Ghent University, Korte Meer 7-9-11, 9000 Gent, Belgium ' iMinds Research Group for Media and ICT (MICT), Communications Department, Ghent University, Korte Meer 7-9-11, 9000 Gent, Belgium ' iMinds-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Pleinlaan 9 – 2nd floor, 1050 Brussels, Belgium ' iMinds-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Pleinlaan 9 – 2nd floor, 1050 Brussels, Belgium

Abstract: In nowadays knowledge economy, no more general 'best practice' innovation management exists. Within this paper we investigate the potential of Living Labs as open innovation systems that foster different knowledge transfers amongst the actors participating in them. By means of an in-depth case study research we explore a variety of hypotheses abstracted from the open innovation literature on knowledge transfers and other variables influencing exchange and collaboration in open innovation systems. We conclude that given certain criteria are met, Living Labs can be a solution for sustainable innovation development.

Keywords: open innovation; knowledge flows; living labs; innovation ecosystems; user innovation; systemic innovation; user-centric innovation; SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises; stakeholder roles; fibre-to-the-home; FTTH; testbed; infrastructure; knowledge exchange: sustainable innovation; case study; knowledge transfer.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2016.074832

International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 2016 Vol.10 No.2/3, pp.322 - 340

Published online: 21 Feb 2016 *

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