Living Labs as a Solution to Increase Costa Ricas Innovation

Abstract

As part of its strategy to improve development and reduce the problems it has, Costa Rica is directing its efforts toward the use of key converging technologies such as info, bio, and nano. These technologies have the potential to help the country in solving problems optimally and sustainably. Part of this strategy can be found in the plan developed by the Ministries of Science and Technology, which proposes the creation of a Knowledge-Based Economy Policy as the best integrating framework of policies that promote the formation of human capital, excellence in science, outstanding research and development, entrepreneurship, and the implementation of innovation processes, and increase the competitiveness, productivity, and social welfare of the country. According to the latest reports issued in the Global Innovation Indices report, Costa Rica ranks #56 worldwide and #3 in Latin America, despite having the development of several activities, Costa Rica still lags in infrastructure and market sophistication, which affects the development and increase of innovation within the nation. The goal of this investigation is to identify living labs as a potential development-enhancing strategy and to assess the challenges to their implementation in the nation on the levels of technology, organizations, and context.