This paper presents a business model for digital laboratories (labs) to promote sharing in network organizations. Using information systems design science research methodology, a multi-sided platform is created and evaluated as a sustainable business model. Digital labs complement theoretical concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to promote understanding of concepts, practical knowledge, and experiences. However, these labs are expensive and typically only available to local user groups, and not every university can offer the same or equivalent labs. Many universities are not well prepared to share labs with other institutions or to be part of a network organization. Among the findings are that digital labs are becoming more important, that there is an emerging trend from product- to service-oriented solutions, that a lab-sharing marketplace should provide targeted offerings for teaching and training, and that industry customers and students are showing interest in digital labs education content. The willingness to pay for students and industry is there, but for students the discussion remains ethical in nature as to who should pay for education. On the other hand, industry customers point out that there is a fear of losing intellectual property and security risks. This paper shows how a sustainable business model for digital labs activates lab sharing. Then universities can offer a better curriculum, instructors have more opportunities to provide a good education, and only then can students have access to more lab environments.
Every collaboration stands on a foundation of mutual trust. This is a pre-requisite for any information sharing as well as the basis to successfully carry out collaborative tasks. This article presents the use case of Open Digital Lab 4you, a digitized laboratory environment, and identifies relevant trust factors based on a literature review and action-based research. In this paper stakeholders' needs and requirements are discussed and these are linked to several, critical aspects of trust when sharing resources among public institutions
PurposeThis paper presents a maturity model for digital transformation effectiveness in laboratories (labs) with education and research purposes.Design/methodology/approachThe model was developed using design science research methodology, expert interviews and case studies.FindingsThe model fulfills three practical goals: (1) to establish comparability of the effectiveness of the digital transformation of labs, (2) to provide lab operators from academia and industry with a guide for (further) transformation and (3) to build initial trust among lab users. In addition, the maturity model contributes to the literature on digital lab transformation by capturing, describing, structuring and evaluating relevant dimensions, items and levels. Model strengths and weaknesses, areas for improvement, international applicability and practical and reusable recommendations are presented as well as the added value in assessing lab functionalities and lab sustainability.Practical implicationsAlthough originally developed as a maturity model driven by lab education, the model is also suitable for the transformation of research labs in manufacturing technology management. Digital labs can efficiently support industry training and research and development activities as well as simulate the development of new processes prior to their implementation.Originality/valueEspecially for these use cases, the authors see application potentials for the use of online labs from an organizational perspective and from the perspective of stakeholders such as industry users and operators with a manufacturing background, who use and develop transformed labs for teaching and research.
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