Innovation dynamics within makerspaces and fabrication laboratories (fablabs) : analysis and key themes from existing literature
(2025) In Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity 11(4).- Abstract
Makerspaces and fabrication laboratories (fablabs) have received growing scholarly attention for their potential to advance innovation. These spaces provide individuals access to technological tools while enabling collaboration and community-building around technology-driven activities. Yet, existing research on how innovation unfolds within these settings remains fragmented. This paper reviews and synthesises eighty-nine peer-reviewed studies to provide a clearer understanding of the innovation dynamics in makerspaces. The paper identifies recurring patterns related to collaboration, resources, motivations, diversity, and the social and regional contexts of maker cultures. By integrating these strands, the study highlights both the... (More)
Makerspaces and fabrication laboratories (fablabs) have received growing scholarly attention for their potential to advance innovation. These spaces provide individuals access to technological tools while enabling collaboration and community-building around technology-driven activities. Yet, existing research on how innovation unfolds within these settings remains fragmented. This paper reviews and synthesises eighty-nine peer-reviewed studies to provide a clearer understanding of the innovation dynamics in makerspaces. The paper identifies recurring patterns related to collaboration, resources, motivations, diversity, and the social and regional contexts of maker cultures. By integrating these strands, the study highlights both the opportunities and limitations of makerspaces as sites of innovation. The findings contribute to debates on contemporary innovation spaces and offer insights of relevance to policymakers, practitioners, and scholars.
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- author
- Sharma, Gautam LU and Haldar, Stuti LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025-12
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Creative open spaces, Fablabs, Fabrication laboratories, Innovation, Makerspaces
- in
- Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity
- volume
- 11
- issue
- 4
- article number
- 100686
- pages
- 13 pages
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105021991375
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100686
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 0cb116bf-29b7-43d4-8165-e1aad2352048
- date added to LUP
- 2025-11-28 12:31:42
- date last changed
- 2025-12-09 14:47:18
@article{0cb116bf-29b7-43d4-8165-e1aad2352048,
abstract = {{<p>Makerspaces and fabrication laboratories (fablabs) have received growing scholarly attention for their potential to advance innovation. These spaces provide individuals access to technological tools while enabling collaboration and community-building around technology-driven activities. Yet, existing research on how innovation unfolds within these settings remains fragmented. This paper reviews and synthesises eighty-nine peer-reviewed studies to provide a clearer understanding of the innovation dynamics in makerspaces. The paper identifies recurring patterns related to collaboration, resources, motivations, diversity, and the social and regional contexts of maker cultures. By integrating these strands, the study highlights both the opportunities and limitations of makerspaces as sites of innovation. The findings contribute to debates on contemporary innovation spaces and offer insights of relevance to policymakers, practitioners, and scholars.</p>}},
author = {{Sharma, Gautam and Haldar, Stuti}},
keywords = {{Creative open spaces; Fablabs; Fabrication laboratories; Innovation; Makerspaces}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{4}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity}},
title = {{Innovation dynamics within makerspaces and fabrication laboratories (fablabs) : analysis and key themes from existing literature}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100686}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100686}},
volume = {{11}},
year = {{2025}},
}