The role of makerspaces in supporting consumer innovation and diffusion: An empirical analysis

摘要

Makerspaces are open communities for tinkering, innovating, and socializing: They are equipped with tools and training that support "making" by participants. It has been argued that makerspaces can be a powerful vehicle to enhance both innovation and innovation diffusion by consumers. This research note offers initial empirical evidence for these claims. Through a survey of 558 participants drawn from makerspaces worldwide, the study shows that the innovation rate is about 53% and that the diffusion rate is about 18% among these individuals - substantially higher than the innovation and diffusion rates found in national innovation surveys of general populations, i.e. individuals who innovate independently at home at their own discretion.