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Reconsidering the dynamics of local knowledge creation: Middlegrounds and local innovation commons in the case of FabLabs

Author

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  • Cohendet Patrick

    (Mosaic, HEC MontrealInternational Business DepartmentMontrealCanada)

  • Grandadam David

    (Mosaic, HEC MontrealInternational Business DepartmentMontrealCanada)

  • Suire Raphaël

    (LEMNA, University of NantesDepartement of Business AdministrationNantesFrance)

Abstract

This contribution investigates the dynamics of knowledge creation at the local level, building, in particular, on the interactions between formal and informal entities. Two theoretical constructions are brought together in order to do so: the middleground concept and the notion of commons. By associating these two concepts, the goal is to introduce a revised perspective on local dynamics of knowledge, which details how informal and formal entities interact with one another in order to drive local ideation processes and how these processes are structured in order to generate innovative outputs. The case of FabLabs is drawn upon in order to illustrate how the middleground and commons concepts can be mobilized to describe and better understand these local dynamics of knowledge creation.

Suggested Citation

  • Cohendet Patrick & Grandadam David & Suire Raphaël, 2021. "Reconsidering the dynamics of local knowledge creation: Middlegrounds and local innovation commons in the case of FabLabs," ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography, De Gruyter, vol. 65(1), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:zfwige:v:65:y:2021:i:1:p:1-11:n:4
    DOI: 10.1515/zfw-2020-0042
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    knowledge; middleground; local innovation commons; FabLab;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy

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