Abstract
Triple helix collaborations are evidence and example of larger ‘post-postmodern’ trends that have accelerated the convergence of once clearly established organisational dichotomies, in particular, market/hierarchy, private/public and for-profit/non-profit. The multiplex hybridity of triple helix collaborations creates unique challenges for the functional and, in particular, advance legal organisation and governance of their social welfare-oriented, quasi-entrepreneurial, quasi-regulatory innovation interactivity. Social innovation, resource valorisation and sustainability—constituting core normative underpinnings and objectives for triple helix models—similarly affect the design and efficiency of hybrid firms that functionally and legally domicile triple helix intermediation. In an effort to help promote the emergence of sui-generis best practices in the intermediation of ‘innovation in innovation’ (Etzkowitz, Stud Sci 42(3):293–337, 2003a) triple helix projects, this article focuses on two interrelated aspects of triple helix hybridity which are less developed in the current literatures: First, based on a well-documented case study of a failed research group-firm hybrid within the University of Helsinki, it examines an institutionalised supra-helical, fourth-party intermediation model for triple helix networks and distinguishes such theoretical model from mere inter-helical self-intermediation in trilateral university-industry-government collaborations. Second, it hypothesises the possible association of supra-helical, fourth-party triple helix intermediation in application with blended private/public, for-profit/non-profit legal entities, in particular, only recently introduced hybrid legal organisations in the UK, the USA, and Canada. The main thesis developed under such dual focus is that the unique legal organisational design and domicile for triple helix intermediation, i.e. what this article terms the supra-helical mode 3 substructure, critically matters—both, for purposes of institutionalising efficient decision-making and governance equilibria in the promotion and operation of real-world triple helix projects and for controlling the agency and social costs of such advanced triple helix collaborations.
Highlights
The triple helix of university-industry-government relations has been described as a ‘highly charged intellectual enterprise’ (Todeva and Etzkowitz 2013)
Research methodology The article approaches the institutionalisation of triple helix intermediation from a systemstheoretical perspective rather than through empirical investigation— it includes an analysis and discussion of Tuunainen’s well-documented qualitative research and case study of a failed ‘attempt by [a university research] group to operate as a research group-firm hybrid entity within the University of Helsinki in 1998-2000’ (Tuunainen 2004: 43; see Tuunainen (2001, 2002, 2005a, b, c))
The analysis and discussion of the case study serves as a jumping-off point to introduce a bifurcated model of triple helix intermediation and its legal organisation in order to supplement existing theoretical and empirical research on the former and to make a first, small effort at compensating for the current scarcity of research on the latter
Summary
The triple helix of university-industry-government relations has been described as a ‘highly charged intellectual enterprise’ (Todeva and Etzkowitz 2013) It may be characterised as a highly charged organisational enterprise and intermediational challenge, in particular, for purposes of optimising advanced ‘innovation in innovation’ (Etzkowitz 2003a) triple helix hybrid organisations in the form of ‘mode 3’ (Carayannis and Campbell 2006, 2009, 2012) trilateral networks. It is this facilitating and reconciling intermediary infrastructure—including, its chosen legal premises and entity-level organisation—which has to continually and simultaneously effectuate a large and complex multitude of middle-position team-production equilibria among the helices in order to provide the cohesion, stability and synergy necessary for the long-term sustainability and innovation gains of real-world triple helix projects (see van Lente et al (2003))
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
