Abstract
Digital fabrication is contributing to the paradigm shift that is determining a new way to design, produce and consume goods and services. In order to understand the role of FabLabs, networked platforms for the dissemination of digital culture through the sharing of technological tools and knowledge, this paper explores the main research themes and methods associated with this new business model. Through a systematic literature analysis, it provides an assessment of the state of art of the past and current literature about FabLabs from a service perspective. Based on research papers published exclusively on scholarly journals, the study describes the emergence of this research area and characterize its current status. A critical analysis of the existing research as well as some recommendations for future studies in this field are also offered.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Katterfeldt, E.S., Dittert, N., Schelhowe, H.: Designing digital fabrication learning environments for bildung: implications from ten years of physical computing workshops. Int. J. Child-Comput. Interact. 5, 3–10 (2015). Digital Fabrication in Education
Diez, T.: Personal fabrication: fab labs as platforms for citizen-based innovation, from microcontrollers to cities. Nexus Netw. J. 14(3), 457–468 (2012)
Hare, J.: Getting digitally dirty. Landscapes/Paysages 18(2), 48–49 (2016)
Gershenfeld, N.: How to make almost anything: the digital fabrication revolution. Foreign Aff. 91(6), 58 (2012)
Banzi, M., De Benedetti, C., Luna, R.: Il Primo Rapporto sull’Impatto delle Tecnologie Digitali nel Sistema Manifatturiero Italiano. Make in Italy CDB (2015)
Menichinelli, M., Ranellucci, A.: Censimento dei Laboratori di Fabbricazione Digitale in Italia. Make in Italy CDB (2014)
Savastano, M., Bellini, F., D’Ascenzo, F.: FabLab and digital manufacturing: innovative tools for the social innovation and value co-creation. In: Baglieri, D., Metallo, C., Rossignoli, C., Iacono, M.P. (eds.) The Social Relevance of the Organisation of Information Systems and ICT. Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation. Springer, Cham (2016)
Scornavacca, E., Barnes, S.J., Huff, S.L.: Mobile business research published in 2000–2004: emergence, current status, and future opportunities. Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst. 17(1), 28 (2006)
Moorefield-Lang, H.M.: Makers in the library: case studies of 3D printers and maker spaces in library settings. Libr. Hi Tech. 32(4), 583 (2014)
Beyers, R.N.: Nurturing creativity and innovation through fabkids: a case study. J. Sci. Educ. Technol. 19(5), 447–455 (2010)
Fonda, C., Canessa, E.: Making ideas at scientific fabrication laboratories. Phys. Educ. 51(6), 1 (2016)
Bosqué, C.: What are you printing? Ambivalent emancipation by 3D printing. Rapid Prototyping J. 21(5), 572–581 (2015)
Cautela, C., Pisano, P., Pironti, M.: The emergence of new networked business models from technology innovation: an analysis of 3D printing design enterprises. Int. Entrepreneurship Manag. J. 10(3), 487–501 (2014)
Moorefield-Lang, H.M.: When makerspaces go mobile: case studies of transportable maker locations. Libr. Hi Tech. 33(4), 462–471 (2015)
Purpur, E., Radniecki, T., Colegrove, P.T., Klenke, C.: Refocusing mobile makerspace outreach efforts internally as professional development. Libr. Hi Tech. 34(1), 130–142 (2016)
Craddock, I.L.: Makers on the move: a mobile makerspace at a comprehensive public high school. Libr. Hi Tech. 33(4), 497–504 (2015)
Yin, R.K.: Case Study Research: Design and Methods. SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks (2003)
Eisenhardt, K.M.: Building theories from case study research. Acad. Manag. Rev. 14(4), 532–550 (1989). SRC
Yin, R.K.: Case Study Research: Design and Methods, vol. 5, 2nd edn. Applied Social Research Methods Series. SAGE, Los Angeles (1994)
Eisenhardt, K.M., Graebner, M.E.: Theory building from cases: opportunity and challenges. Acad. Manag. J. 50(1), 25–32 (2007)
Rieple, A., Pisano, P.: Business models in a new digital culture: the open long tail model. Symphonya 2, 75–88 (2015)
Hirschheim, R.A.: Information systems epistemology: an historical perspective. Comput. Inf. Sci., 13–35 (1985)
Rieple, A., Pironti, M., Pisano, P.: Business network dynamics and diffusion of innovation. Symphonya 2, 13–25 (2012)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
A Appendix
A Appendix
See Table 7
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Savastano, M., Bellini, F., D’Ascenzo, F., Scornavacca, E. (2017). FabLabs as Platforms for Digital Fabrication Services: A Literature Analysis. In: Za, S., Drăgoicea, M., Cavallari, M. (eds) Exploring Services Science. IESS 2017. Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, vol 279. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56925-3_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56925-3_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-56924-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-56925-3
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)