Abstract Summary
A Living Lab is a concept and approach frequently explored and embedded in the literature on innovation ecosystems (Del Vecchio et al., 2017) when it is used as a means to illuminate the dynamic nature of collaboration among diverse stakeholders within a given context. In this vein, Living Labs offer a real-world environment for various actors, including individuals, businesses, researchers, and government entities, to collaboratively create, test, and refine innovative solutions, products, and services (Lasher, 1991). In these contexts, often aligned with the open innovation paradigm as described by Chesbrough (2003), the role of organizational culture emerges as a pivotal factor in shaping mechanisms of collaboration and competition. As noted by Dabrowska and Savitskaya (2014), organizational culture is a significant explanatory variable for human and corporate behavior in open innovation settings, influencing patterns of dealing with novelty and knowledge transfer, as well as preferences, expectations, and behaviors related to risks and trust. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze the open innovation approach in various settings. This study aims to investigate the presumed pivotal role played by Living Labs in shaping collaboration and competition within the specific cultural contingencies of Italian innovation ecosystems, which remain relatively unexplored when compared to the Dutch context. Drawing on the theoretical framework proposed by Enkel et al., (2009), this paper employs a single-case study methodology within an Italian innovation ecosystem. Data collection primarily relies on interviews with various components of companies operating within the innovation ecosystem and actively participating in creating, testing, and refine innovative solutions within Living Labs. The theoretical contribution of this study resides in its exploration of how Living Labs operate in the Italian context, expanding our knowledge beyond the more extensively studied Dutch scenario shedding a light into the critical factors that make a Living Lab an enabler of collaboration mechanisms. By focusing on Italy, this research broadens our understanding of the cultural nuances that influence open innovation practices. It seeks to identify the unique cultural factors and dynamics that influence the behavior of stakeholders, including individuals, businesses, researchers, and government entities when dealing with novelty, knowledge transfer, risks, and trust. The practical implications of this research extend to managers and policymakers, offering insights into how Living Labs can be effectively utilized to co-create, test, and refine innovative solutions, products, and services while considering the specific cultural context. This knowledge can inform the development of strategies and policies that better align with the cultural contingencies of the region, thereby promoting more successful open innovation practices and fostering economic growth and competitiveness.
