Mode 3: A Proposed Classification Scheme for the Knowledge Economy and Society

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to develop a classification scheme for the knowledge economy and society. By using Mode 3 and the quadruple helix theories, this paper models enterprise instances of networking among academia, government, industry, and civil society, all of whom are actors in the quadruple helix. The networking factors are found in the dynamics among the actors, ranging from regional to global levels. In particular, the emphasis of this paper is to understand the attributes of Mode 3 and its frontiers in order to later develop a predictive model of innovation success. We researched three regions, Maryland and the European Union countries of Portugal and Greece along with two support models, incubators, and a science park, as these areas exhibit Mode 3 regional innovation factors and allowed us to develop and test the proposed classification scheme. Our findings are that most companies operating within a regional innovation network are functioning at the Mode 2 level. This is significant as it assisted us with soundly classifying firms who were operating in the realm of Mode 2 and helped us understand the frontiers of Mode 3. Additionally, we discovered three instances of Mode 3 that engaged the traditional triple helix actors with the addition of a virtual civil society, which is the foundation for the quadruple helix.