Relationship between Dominant Triple Helix Model and Type of Intermediary Organizations

Abstract

Although there is a plethora of studies about the role of Triple/ Quadruple Helix in strengthening the local, national and regional systems of innovation, few focuses on relationship between Triple Helix model type and the intermediary organisations. The intermediary organisations are useful in facilitating knowledge, technology and skills transfer among the collaborating partners. Three main types of Triple Helix models have been identified within the literature, namely: university-push, government-led and business-driven models. The purpose of this critical literature review study is to characterise the nature of intermediary organisations in each model of Triple Helix. The preliminary findings show that there is an overlap between various Triple Helix models, hence one can rather refer to a dominant model. As a result, certain intermediary organisations have been identified as key stakeholders in several types of Triple Helix models. The roles of these organisations might be shifted between being a performer, enabler or facilitator in various type of Triple Helix models. Three case studies used a China (government-pull), Finland (business-led) and the United States (university-push). The findings of this study are useful for an in-depth understanding of the organisations and their role in triple Helix cooperation. Further empirical research can be useful in strengthening the findings of this study.