Do-It-Yourself laboratories, communities of practice, and open innovation in a digitalised environment

Abstract

ABSTRACT A growing literature has explored the role of innovation as a driver of healthy economies. We discuss the role of Do-It-Yourself laboratories (‘DIY labs’) in driving open innovation. Digitalisation, in terms of faster, broader, and more easily accessible internet connectivity, has enabled private and public DIY labs to flourish, and to form online, practice-led Communities of Practice (‘COPs’). The phenomena of in-person DIY labs and online COPs seem to be part of a societal shift from centralised research and development departments in large organisations to democratic, user-led cyberspaces where ideas and innovations are generated by well-educated and well-connected participants. We argue that DIY labs address un-met market demands by individualising mass market products, processes, and services. We extend the COP lens by theorising on the effects of digitalisation on the advantageous interaction of COP members with DIY labs. We suggest how this interaction has significant social and economic implications, particularly in the ways that innovation activity in public spaces and organisations may be used and rewarded.