Print Email Facebook Twitter A framework for the evaluation of living labs as boundary spanners in innovation Title A framework for the evaluation of living labs as boundary spanners in innovation Author van Geenhuizen, M.S. (TU Delft Economics of Technology and Innovation) Date 2018 Abstract Living labs, as a methodology to enhance user-centric innovation, have large potentials in bringing inventions to the marketplace, but their performance can benefit more from evaluation. This article develops a novel framework for evaluation of living labs, including (1) a system approach providing an analytical view on living labs’ performance and results; (2) a focus on actor-complexity and boundary-spanning needs; (3) a set of questions concerning, e.g. absorption of user-feedback, satisfaction among actors, and openness and connecting with larger networks; (4) a list of key performance factors; and (5) a focus on participatory evaluation. The design of this evaluation framework rests on a comprehensive literature search and case studies representing different actor complexity, namely home-solutions in healthcare, reconstruction of large (multi)functional buildings, and multiple combinations of activity (university campuses). Key performance factors are found to be: an early involvement of adequately skilled users in multiple learning processes, including absorption of feedback, and a broader but balanced set of actors connecting with upscaling and acceptance in the market. Also, boundaries need to be better bridged by learning how to handle conflicts and deal with intermediation, while respecting shared goals and interests. Specifically, university living labs call for maintaining a solid relation with cities and their actors. Overall, an explicitly designed evaluation framework is a key part of the working plan of living labs. The results also indicate a need for stronger attention for boundary-spanning in evaluation, because living labs are increasingly applied in comprehensive multi-activity settings. Subject actor-complexityevaluationLiving labsperformanceuser-involvement To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:f1b187b2-638f-45f9-88c8-ce3bf548295c DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/2399654417753623 ISSN 2399-6544 Source Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space, 1-19 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2018 M.S. van Geenhuizen Files PDF 2399654417753623.pdf 324.61 KB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:f1b187b2-638f-45f9-88c8-ce3bf548295c/datastream/OBJ/view