Geographical characteristics for Living labs success in the search for sustainable transition Smart grid experiments, living labs and guides to success

Abstract

This paper aims to empirically test geographical characteristics that contribute to the success of Living Labs. Literature from the regional innovation system and proximity advantages prescribed factors which contributed to the innovation processes, but were not related to Living Labs in the smart grid industry. Living Labs are important for the transition to another socio-technical regime. In the search for sustainability the smart grid industry is on the frontier to change the socio-technical regime. With the use of semi-structured interview success factors are empirically tested for their presence and searched for other success factors. When the success factors are identified they contribute to the academic literature and also to the society, since project leaders are aware of success factors which should stimulate the rate of success. Ultimately new factors have been identified such as infrastructures and work ethics and barriers to success as deadlines. Moreover identification is made between different type of Living Labs and their influence is tested on the success different success factors.