Fostering user involvement in collaborative innovation spaces

Innovation studies demonstrate a growing interest in collaborative approaches, particularly co-creation with end-users within innovation spaces. This qualitative study explores the complex dynamics of user engagement in driving user-centered innovation within living labs. Based on interviews with 22 informants from 14 countries, conducted between 2021 and 2022, the study presents a comprehensive framework outlining four crucial stages of engagement: recruitment, motivation, co-creation, and relationship. Through an in-depth analysis of the key factors influencing each stage, the research sheds light on ongoing discussions and consensus regarding the organization of the co-creation process and the essential role of living labs in developing innovations. By providing insights into the co-creation process with users, the study highlights the strategies that living labs employ to achieve sustainable outcomes in user-centered innovation. These findings offer valuable knowledge that can assist practitioners in overcoming challenges related to user engagement, thereby fostering the advancement of user-centered innovation.