The realization of living labs at the post-experiment stage: the role of University in Korea

Abstract Living labs (LLs) have emerged as an important approach to fostering innovation. LLs, however, can often produce one-time solutions, and the innovation effect does not continue thereafter. Why are some prototypes utilized in a more systematic way and applied to other related problems? We define the ‘realization’ of LLs as prototypes continue to be built on and commercialized or adopted as official policies in forms of maintenance, deepening, and diffusion. Out of seven LL projects based in South Korea that we studied, three projects were realized. We found that universities play a critical role in the realization of LLs by supporting teams, enabling networks, providing guidance and advice, opening access to new funding, and providing practical facilities. This paper contributes to the LLs literature by exploring the factors that enable realization in the post-experiment stage, focusing on the roles played by universities.