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Unsilencing power dynamics within third spaces. The case of Renault’s Fab Lab

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  • Lô, Amadou
  • Fatien Diochon, Pauline

Abstract

Our paper explores the under-examined political dimension of space in organizations through the study of power dynamics in third spaces, i.e., hybrid spaces characterized by an inclusive and permissive social context. Our context is the pioneering corporate Fab Lab at Renault car manufacturer where we conducted a two-year study of participant observation and 42 interviews. Building on the power literature, we demonstrate how Fab Labs can be supportive of empowerment through self-governing regulation accomplished via the control of meaning, resources, and processes. Consequently, we suggest defining the corporate Fab Lab as a hybrid and inclusive workspace dedicated to exploration activities supportive of the empowerment of low-power actors in an organization. Overall, by articulating – or unsilencing – the empowerment that “takes space” within and beyond walls, we hope to contribute to an understanding of organizational space as a place of practice rather than a neutral container.

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  • Lô, Amadou & Fatien Diochon, Pauline, 2019. "Unsilencing power dynamics within third spaces. The case of Renault’s Fab Lab," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 35(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:scaman:v:35:y:2019:i:2:s0956522117301045
    DOI: 10.1016/j.scaman.2018.11.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sébastien Point & Yehuda Baruch, 2023. "(Re)thinking transcription strategies: Current challenges and future research directions," Post-Print hal-04318852, HAL.
    2. Ambre Scarmoncin & Clothilde Portelli & Ferney Osorio & Guillaume Eckerlein, 2022. "Unfolding innovation lab services in public hospitals: a hospital FabLab case study," Post-Print hal-03724843, HAL.
    3. Marie-Alix Deval & Sophie Hooge & Benoit Weil, 2021. "The emergence of “experts of the unknown” – Learnings from Renault and SNCF," Post-Print hal-03264373, HAL.
    4. Sérgio Carqueijó & Delfina Ramos & Joaquim Gonçalves & Sandro Carvalho & Federica Murmura & Laura Bravi & Manuel Doiro & Gilberto Santos & Kristína Zgodavová, 2022. "The Importance of Fab Labs in the Development of New Products toward Mass Customization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-19, July.
    5. Sharma, Gautam & Haldar, Stuti, 2023. "Dynamics of innovation in makerspaces and fabrication labs: a systematic literature review," Papers in Innovation Studies 2023/10, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.

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