How TOI and the Quadruple and Quintuple Helix Innovation System Can Support the Development of a New Model of International Cooperation

Abstract

This paper deals with the pathway to an international cooperation approach to facilitate the setting up of an innovation-friendly environment in Mediterranean partner countries (MPC). The MPC are in fact a priority for the EU, especially after the Arab spring in 2011. The innovation and technology gap in the Mediterranean area, compared to the main global competitors, depends not only on the limited capacity to bring the knowledge generated into the market by creating a stable and strong link between research and business but also on the need to establish some cultural-based values as described in the quadruple helix model. In response to these challenges, the Mediterranean area has to review and improve research and innovation (RI the main hurdles to the setting up of an innovation-friendly ecosystem can be hereinafter summarized: (a) cultural aspects, including innovation culture; (b) rigid administrative and regulatory framework in the Mediterranean area (it is often considered rigid and unclear, too bureaucratic with consequence in researchers’ behaviours with external actors); (c) researchers’ mobility obstacles; (d) complex and not recognized patent exploitation procedures and IPR process and (e) lack of smart specialization strategies. These factors are able to affect the research and innovation activities, the technology transfer model and its adaptation in different geographical areas. It is not possible not to take into consideration these aspects, especially in the framework of international cooperation. In this paper, we offer a case study developed in the context of international cooperation. The study offers elements in order to create a model for a suitable environment for knowledge exploitation in the context of the international cooperation.