Conventional versus grassroots innovation outcomes in developing country makerspaces: governance and its determinants in the Philippines

ABSTRACT

Makerspaces (MS) are widely considered to be sites for democratizing innovation outcomes away from conventional commercial and educational agenda of the entrepreneurial and scientific elite towards a grassroots and inclusive agenda. However, MS can reproduce elite-driven innovation outcomes as much as it can transform such towards a grassroots agenda, as is most evident in developing country contexts. Based on comparative case research of 10 selected MS in the Philippines, this study examines the variation of innovation outcomes among MS. Cases selected represent the heterogeneity of MS innovation outcomes in both material and cultural terms. The study finds three types of innovation outcomes that are research-based projects and elite culture, commercial-oriented projects and service culture, and creative and grassroots projects and maker culture. It further finds that MS governance, as determined by variation in host organizations, MS capabilities, and cluster dynamics, shape innovation outcomes. It highlights that grassroots innovation outcomes are most effectively facilitated by MS independence, design capabilities, and diverse and high-skilled clusters. The study’s main contribution lies in its empirical exploration of the factors and dynamics that shape diverse innovation outcomes in MS. Policy implications for grassroots innovation are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• MS
• grassroots innovation
• inclusive innovation
• digital fabrication
• socio-technical theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).