Innovating by bricolage: how do firms diversify through knowledge interactions with FabLabs?

Abstract

This paper provides some insight into the way a Fablab increases local entrepreneurial capabilities by offering a new and collective way to co-shape novelties based on a brico-lage mode of innovation. Based on an original survey of 48 international FabLabs, we observed that FabLabs tend to co-produce more prototypes when interacting with small firms whereas they co-produce more spin-offs when in a partnership with large firms. Moreover, FabLab produces more outputs when they are connected to both small and large firms. In other words, FabLab co-produces some related varieties for large firms and contributes in exploring alternatives for small firms.

Keywords: FabLab, bricolage, knowledge, entrepreneurship

JEL Classification: D20, L10, O32, R11