From innovation spaces to digital innovation labs: a conceptual framework for spaces to foster innovation

The trend of establishing innovation labs to tackle innovation challenges in organizations has not only been apparent for years but has also been visible all over the world and across almost all types of organizations and contexts. However, such labs are mostly created with the traditional innovation paradigm in mind, emphasizing physical resources, equipment, and tools, establishing predefined roles and clear interdependencies for those involved in the innovation activities. From an innovation management perspective, this chapter contributes to further developing the concept of innovation labs in the increasingly prevalent digital innovation context, considering digital inputs, processes, and outputs. The authors introduce conceptual considerations and identify four change drivers: mindset proximity, problem-solution orchestration, data and digital artefacts, and complex interdependencies management for a digital innovation lab. They derive managerial implications on the necessary transitions that digital innovation will require, moving labs into a more porous and fluid framework and less-bounded processes when considering data as a resource for innovation. Finally, they present practical considerations for building a digital innovation lab.