'Östgöta Textile' an innovative network in a triple helix logic - towards peer incubating

Abstract

This paper tells the story of a group of small, creative firms collaborating in a regional network and forming an association to promote growth. The network is a triple helix context and supports the firms to growth through what we call a peer-incubating process. This article builds on an action-research project supporting the development of the association and the network ‘Ostgota Textile’. The analysis of the Ostgota Textile network shows that the local and low-tech firms have received critical support from the academic and governmental networks during the formative process. The main conclusion and implication is that by supporting a triple helix network, even in other sectors than traditional high tech industries, entrepreneurial activities and growth can lead to growth in small firms.