Formalising Living Labs to achieve organisational objectives in emerging economies

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to indicate how Living Labs (LL) are organized and applied as part of the research mandate of the SAP Research Pretoria in South Africa. This will be done by exploring existing definitions of LLs. This is followed by the identification of four dimensions of living labs which is then used to evaluate three existing LLs to indicate the relevance for choosing a LL as methodology for doing the projects as well as the dimensions of LL within each LL at this research centre. This focus attention on the selection of stakeholders and the role they play in realising a LL concept within a project. It further discusses how the organisation’s objectives are addressed via the LL approach, which has never been done before in SAP Research Pretoria. Last-mentioned includes aspects like the innovation process, and user involvement which focus on these as important criteria for a successful LL.