FabLab: An Attractive and Innovative Collaborative Space

Roberta Oppedisano
Additional contact information
Roberta Oppedisano: Parthenope University of Naples

Chapter Chapter 2 in Collaborative Spaces and FabLabs, 2024, pp 13-21 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract FabLabs are hubs for collaboration, offering individuals access to communal tools and technologies to gain knowledge and materialise their concepts into tangible prototypes. Originating at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the early twenty-first century, FabLabs have proliferated worldwide, nurturing a culture centred on learning, collaboration, and innovation. This chapter provides an in-depth examination of FabLabs, tracing their historical development and exploring their role as community spaces for innovation and creativity. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the chapter examines the organisational structure, governance, and social impact of FabLabs, highlighting their potential as drivers of local economic development and social inclusion. It also situates FabLabs in the wider setting of the Maker Movement, highlighting their contribution to peer production and the democratisation of personal digital fabrication. Despite their growing importance, FabLabs face several management challenges, particularly in fostering collaborative practices and sustaining growth in the face of increasing demand. Through a comprehensive analysis, this chapter provides insights into the unique characteristics and evolving dynamics of FabLabs, highlighting their importance as catalysts for innovation and community engagement in the digital age.

Date: 2024
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:spbrcp:978-3-031-62829-0_2

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/9783031628290

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62829-0_2

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in SpringerBriefs in Business from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().