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Opening Our Innovation Ecosystems to All: The INTEGER Project Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Fatima Canseco-Lopez

    (i2CAT Foundation, 08034 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Artur Serra

    (i2CAT Foundation, 08034 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Marta Martorell Camps

    (i2CAT Foundation, 08034 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

Quadruple Helix open innovation ecosystems are gaining relevance as they incorporate different actors with different perspectives, contributing significantly to the development of social innovation communities that are more responsive to today’s social and environmental challenges. The Horizon Europe INTEGER project aims to better understand how social and economic innovation actors can be effectively integrated into European innovation ecosystems to address critical sustainability challenges. An exploratory and qualitative study was conducted, using three different focus groups (partners, stakeholders, and driving group) and analysing the intra- and inter-regional health and wellbeing ecosystems of three European regions (Krakow, Hamburg, and Catalonia). The results propose a systemic model based on a new generation of Living Labs, called Collaboratories, that involves the actors of social and economic innovation and facilitates a holistic understanding of the interconnected dimensions of the ecosystem, where all the dimensions interact to drive sustainable impact. In addition, this study highlights the key role of the facilitator who guides the group process from the beginning to the achievement of the objective, as well as the adaptation when it comes to scaling and replication, as each ecosystem has a particular level of maturity.

Suggested Citation

  • Fatima Canseco-Lopez & Artur Serra & Marta Martorell Camps, 2025. "Opening Our Innovation Ecosystems to All: The INTEGER Project Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1164-:d:1581277
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nguyen, Huong Thu & Marques, Pilar & Benneworth, Paul, 2022. "Living labs: Challenging and changing the smart city power relations?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    2. Marta Peris-Ortiz & João J. Ferreira & Luís Farinha & Nuno O. Fernandes, 2016. "Introduction to Multiple Helix Ecosystems for Sustainable Competitiveness," Innovation, Technology, and Knowledge Management, in: Marta Peris-Ortiz & João J. Ferreira & Luís Farinha & Nuno O. Fernandes (ed.), Multiple Helix Ecosystems for Sustainable Competitiveness, chapter 0, pages 1-13, Springer.
    3. Waes, Arnoud van & Nikolaeva, Anna & Raven, Rob, 2021. "Challenges and dilemmas in strategic urban experimentationAn analysis of four cycling innovation living labs," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
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