The Laboratization of Change: What Is It with Labs and Change These Days?

Abstract

Laboratories or “labs” outside science and technology have become increasingly popular in recent years. Their proliferation raises questions about what they have in common and the extent to which “lab” as a metaphor is still pertinent. We develop six criteria to assess these types of labs: (1) theoretical foundations; (2) experimentation; (3) collaboration; (4) boundaries; (5) governance; and (6) temporality. We identify a number of paradoxes in the operation of labs and explore their implications for research and practice.

Citation

Thompson, M. and Schulte, M. (2021), "The Laboratization of Change: What Is It with Labs and Change These Days?", (Rami) Shani, A.B. and Noumair, D.A. (Ed.) Research in Organizational Change and Development (Research in Organizational Change and Development, Vol. 29), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 33-61. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0897-301620210000029003