Triple Helix Actors Research Articles

Advancing sustainability in the steel industry: the key role of the triple helix sectors.

The steel industry, crucial to the global economy, grapples with critical sustainable challenges, including high energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and non-renewable resource utilization, making sustainability imperative for upholding its economic role without compromising the planet or societal well-being. This study proposes a framework aimed at advancing sustainability in the steel industry through the articulation of the triple helix sectors (university, industry, and government). Based on the integrative review scientific method, systematic selection, interpretation, and synthesis of information from various sources were carried out to map a technical-scientific scenario of sustainability in the steel industry. This scenario informed benchmarking which, in light of the scientific theory and the authors' expertise, enabled the proposition of customized actions aimed at the triple helix actors. The main theoretical-scientific contribution lies in deepening and expanding the knowledge that connects sustainability to the steel industry, thus reinforcing the basis for future research and empirical studies. As for the managerial-applied contribution, this work can guide universities in developing sustainable projects and establishing industrial partnerships; steel companies benefit from the best practices and technologies, while also achieving regulatory compliance; and governments can promote public policies that boost sustainability in the steel sector.

Guest editorial: Quality 4.0 and Kaizen during disruptive times: addressing the triple helix actors’ COVID-19 pandemic challenges

Guest editorial: Quality 4.0 and Kaizen during disruptive times: addressing the triple helix actors’ COVID-19 pandemic challenges

ACTOR SYNERGITYTRIPLE HELIX IN SMART TOURISM: THE FRAMEWORK OF THE SMART VILLAGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT POLICY OF TOURIST VILLAGES IN LAMPUNG PROVINCE

Purpose: The development of digital era tourism has become the main trend related to the development of tourism based on smart tourism. The synergy of the triple helix actors, namely the Government, the community and young people (millennials) in order to support the successful implementation of smart tourism is the main key apart from infrastructure issues and qualified technological support. Theoretical Framework: The hope of conducting this research is to map out in detail the smart village from the point of view of the functions of the government, society, and the millennial generation in smart tourism in Trimulyo Village, West Lampung Regency. The smart village concept is a collaborative use of digital technology, community empowerment and sustainable development in the context of development in rural areas. Within this framework, the Triplehelix actors who are the main subjects of this research are actively involved in decision making, developing a creative economy based on local wisdom, and developing sustainable resources. Methods: This research is supported and studied with a descriptive qualitative method. All information is collected from the results of interviews, field observations and document analysis. Results: This research presents important documents from a smart village, including education and training, digital-based infrastructure, local economic development and sustainable resource management. The results of this study are the involvement of Triplehelix actors in smart villages showing positive results, including the creation of sustainable, smart and empowering tourist destinations. Conclusions: This research makes an important contribution to understanding how the smart village framework increases the participation of Triplehelix actors in smart tourism in Trimulyo Village, Gedung Surian District, West Lampung Regency.

Addressing the Kaizen business operations: the role of triple helix actors during COVID-19 outbreak

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate and clarify how the triple helix actors can effectively implement the concepts of Kaizen to navigate and overcome the complex obstacles brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThrough broad literature reviews, nine common parameters under triple helix actor have been recognized. A regression analysis has been done to study how the triple helix actors’ common parameters impact Kaizen implementation in business operations.FindingsThe results of this study revealed insightful patterns in the relationships between the common parameters of triple helix actor and the dependent variables. Notably, the results also showed that leadership commitment (LC) emerges as a very significant component, having a big impact on employee engagement as well as organizational performance.Research limitations/implicationsIn addition to offering valuable insights, this study has limitations including the potential for response bias in survey data and the focus on a specific set of common parameters, which may not encompass the entirety of factors influencing Kaizen implementation within the triple helix framework during the pandemic.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies in its comprehensive exploration of the interplay between triple helix actors and Kaizen principles in addressing COVID-19 challenges. By identifying and analyzing nine specific common parameters, the study provides a novel framework for understanding how triple helix actors collaboratively enhance organizational performance and employee engagement during challenging times.

The analysis of critical success factors for successful kaizen implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a textile industry case study

PurposeThe primary objective of this research is to determine critical success factors (CSFs) that enable textile enterprises to effectively implement Kaizen, a Japanese concept of continuous development, particularly during disruptive situations. The study aims to provide insights into how Kaizen is specifically employed within the textile sector and to offer guidance for addressing future crises.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a structured approach to determine CSFs for successful Kaizen implementation in the textile industry. The Triple Helix Actors structure, comprising business, academia and government representatives, is utilized to uncover essential insights. Additionally, the Matriced Impacts Croises-Multiplication Applique and Classement (MICMAC) analysis and interpretative structural modeling (ISM) techniques are applied to evaluate the influence of CSFs.FindingsThe research identifies 17 CSFs for successful Kaizen implementation in the textile industry through a comprehensive literature review and expert input. These factors are organized into a hierarchical structure with 5 distinct levels. Additionally, the application of the MICMAC analysis reveals three clusters of CSFs: linkage, dependent and independent, highlighting their interdependencies and impact.Originality/valueMajor contribution of this study is understanding how Kaizen can be effectively utilized in the textile industry, especially during disruptive events. The combination of the Triple Helix Actors structure, MICMAC analysis and ISM provides a unique perspective on the essential factors driving successful Kaizen implementation. The identification of CSFs and their categorization into clusters offer valuable insights for practitioners, policymakers and academia seeking to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the textile industry.

A triple helix model for the diffusion of Industry 4.0 technologies in firms in the Marche Region.

Firms in the Marche Region, Italy, seem to struggle with understanding the importance of Industry 4.0 technologies, including blockchain technology, and delay the adoption of these innovative technologies. This paper is based on findings of three levels of qualitative analysis: the first one is a literature review; the second uses secondary sources about the diffusion of Industry 4.0 in the Marche Region and the local institutions and policies favouring it, retrieved from institutional websites and web searches; the third uses primary data which has been collected through an explorative survey conducted by sending a questionnaire to local innovative firms between 25th and the 27th of October 2022. The literature review shows that collaboration between triple helix actors can foster innovation in firms. Secondary data about firms in the Marche Region describes an economy made prevalently of micro enterprises not capable of adopting Industry 4.0 technologies, and individuates some institutions located in the region having the role of innovation intermediaries that help firms innovate. Among the secondary sources, the new Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021-2027 of the Marche Region emphasises the role of Industry 4.0 for economic development which requires the involvement of the research and innovation actors present in the region. The survey conducted for this study shows that the firms that adopted Industry 4.0 technologies have strong ties and collaboration with triple helix institutions. Based on the findings, a triple helix model is proposed to foster the diffusion of Industry 4.0 technologies in the Marche Region, where innovation intermediaries are called to manage knowledge flows both among them and between academia, government, and industry, to activate a virtuous cycle of innovation adoption and valorisation.

A triple helix model for the diffusion of Industry 4.0 technologies in firms in the Marche Region

Background: Firms in the Marche Region, Italy, seem to struggle with understanding the importance of Industry 4.0 technologies, including blockchain technology, and delay the adoption of these innovative technologies. Methods: This paper is based on findings of three levels of qualitative analysis: the first one is a literature review; the second uses secondary sources about the diffusion of Industry 4.0 in the Marche Region and the local institutions and policies favouring it, retrieved from institutional websites and web searches; the third uses primary data which has been collected through an explorative survey conducted by sending a questionnaire to local innovative firms between 25th and the 27th of October 2022. Results: The literature review shows that collaboration between triple helix actors can foster innovation in firms. Secondary data about firms in the Marche Region describes an economy made prevalently of micro enterprises not capable of adopting Industry 4.0 technologies, and individuates some institutions located in the region having the role of innovation intermediaries that help firms innovate. Among the secondary sources, the new Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021-2027 of the Marche Region emphasises the role of Industry 4.0 for economic development which requires the involvement of the research and innovation actors present in the region. The survey conducted for this study shows that the firms that adopted Industry 4.0 technologies have strong ties and collaboration with triple helix institutions. Conclusions: Based on the findings, a triple helix model is proposed to foster the diffusion of Industry 4.0 technologies in the Marche Region, where innovation intermediaries are called to manage knowledge flows both among them and between academia, government, and industry, to activate a virtuous cycle of innovation adoption and valorisation.

Be resilient today to be sustainable tomorrow: Different perspectives in global supply chains

Supply chains (SC) are continually evolving, adjusting their structure, and becoming more global over time. However, an increasing number of disruptive and unanticipated critical events threaten the continuity of global SCs. This has led institutions and business organizations to enact resilience-oriented policies and strategies to make them able to survive and grow. Dealing with resilience, scholars have recognized two main approaches, the engineering, and the socio-ecological ones. Against this backdrop, the main aim of this work is to investigate the individual and the conjoint effects that these two approaches can have on SC long-term sustainability. Drawing on SC resilience and sustainability research, a taxonomy of some drivers of engineering and socio-ecological resilience has been proposed, which have lately been tested assuming the triple helix model perspective. Then, an exploratory content analysis has been conducted on some reports that three different actors (institutions, universities, and companies) published over the last three years to understand the influence and the possible implications of resilience for SC sustainability. The findings indicate that institutional communication regarding resilience and sustainability remains fragmented, even though the triple helix actors appear synergistic in developing a broad framework for enhancing SC resilience. This work represents one of the first attempts to empirically test and describe the way different socio-economic actors approach the possible relationship between resilience and sustainability. It also offers some interesting insights for both theory and practice, related to the main drivers of resilience and their implications for sustainability, and to the strategic approaches that can support companies to quickly react to unexpected and disruptive events.

Triple Helix interactions in a rural context: The case study of a regional business incubator

This study explores the relationships within university-industry-government interactions, with specific reference to the business incubator of Penela, Portugal. It describes the formal, informal and human resource links between the sample of thirteen firms based in the incubator and universities, as well as the relations between Penela Town Council and the incubator. The impact of all these linkages on the development of the biotechnology and agricultural sectors is considered. The results confirm that the dynamics of the relations between the Triple Helix actors led to the emergence of the Penela Incubator. The latter operates as a mechanism of knowledge/technology transfer and stimulates cooperation between the university and industry, which is characterized by mostly informal links. In addition, the research revealed that these interactions had a positive impact on the development of the region, resulting in the creation of companies and the introduction of innovative products.

A strategic framework to analyse the East Asian miracle within triple helix model – lessons for Kuwait

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a framework that combines the triple helix model with competitive strategies concepts to capture and guide any innovation-led national development strategies.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopted a methodological framework based on existing methods and guidelines, the most commonly reported approach for developing a methodological framework. The review of fundamental approaches to achieving fast and sustained economic development, triple helix model and competitive strategies helped develop the methodological framework. The framework was validated and tested using the case studies approach on Korea, Taiwan and Singapore.FindingsKuwait aims to create an innovative environment to benefit from the innovation strategies anchored by the East Asian miracle economies and how they used the triple helix actors at different developmental stages. First, Kuwait’s research institutes and universities need to design interactive programs and activities with industry and community to help innovate solutions to current and prospective challenges. Second, the government needs to provide a competitive business environment and effective policies. Thirdly, the Kuwait industry must be encouraged to innovate and infuse modern technology practices.Originality/valueDeveloping countries are trying to use science, technology and innovation as an effective strategy for achieving sustained economic growth. However, since each country has its unique conditions, learning from other success stories proved difficult if not structured in a framework designed to serve a specific purpose such as the one the authors propose in this paper.

Universities and smart specialisation in less developed European regions: an evidence-based overview

This paper aims to review the evidence demonstrating the role of universities in the knowledge diffusion function for Smart Specialisation strategies. It is not new if many experts question whether Smart Specialisation will apply equally in all regions, plus the reason that the study of the role of universities in Smart Specialisation still needs much attention. Through this evidence-based literature review, I have identified three main points that support the role of universities for Smart Specialisation in less developed regions of Europe, including resources in regional innovation systems, public sector investment support for RandD, and strong bonds of the Triple Helix actors.

Digital transformation and new dynamics of the triple helix model

This paper is intended to be an extension of innovation studies on the complexity of technological change and its relationship with the dynamics of the triple helix actors. Therefore, the research question is how to reduce the complexity of digital transformation from the point of view of innovation actors for a faster and more effective adaptation of their strategies? To answer that question, this paper conceives digitization as a ‘new technological path’. The complexity of digitization is assumed as the clearest expression of current technological change. The speed, dynamics and strength developed give technological change a character of domination. These characteristics have a transforming power on the actors that form the triple helix. Specifically, the objective of this work is to characterize the dynamism of the theoretical approach to technological change by making a longitudinal analysis of the development of digitization. The theoretical analysis allowed the identification of a set of variables, which modifies the way the actors are organized in triple helix model and can generate new arrangements in the interaction process. Also, it was observed that the variables identified are distinctive from other innovation variables in the approaches of Schumpeterian and neo-Schumpeterian actors. The results of this work were achieved using qualitative analysis through the MAGG methodological approach that made it possible to systematize and classify longitudinally different theoretical perspectives on the dynamics of technological change. A theoretical contrasting method was relevant because it allowed us to identify these variables.

How governments, universities, and companies contribute to renewable energy development? A municipal innovation policy perspective of the triple helix

Some countries have chosen to focus on bottom-up initiatives to enhance the development of renewable energy systems (RES), using the local level (municipalities) as a pillar in this development. Municipalities need to expand their innovation policies to support such transition toward renewable energies. The triple helix (TH) model, based on university, industry, and government, can play an important role in supporting and establishing local policies for RES. We analyze the contribution by the TH actors to the development of three innovation policy criteria for RES development: Creation of cooperative systems, generation and transfer of knowledge, and development of municipal locational factors. Our results are based on a quantitative survey of 727 mid-sized and large municipalities from all regions in Germany. We provide empirical evidence of the relevance of the TH model to support these policy criteria. We also show that rather than treating the TH model as a single effect on RES development, each of the TH actors provides different contributions to RES policies. The government and the private sector have an important role in all three policy criteria. At the same time, we only found a contribution by universities to knowledge generation and transfer, but not to the two other criteria. Thus, in a developed context, the integration of government and private companies is a driving factor to create innovation conditions for RES development, while universities concentrate on creating structural knowledge for innovation in the RES context.

Does triple helix collaboration matter for the early internationalisation of technology-based firms in emerging Economies?

Firms' early internationalisation (EI) is a complex process derived from uncertain market conditions, entrepreneurial vision, and strategic entry decisions. Academic debates still require deepening and broadening the discussion on early internationalisation of new technology-based firms (NTBFs). This study proposes a framework to analyse how NTBFs are adopting collaborative networks with the triple helix actors (government, university, and industry) to implement an EI strategy in emerging economies. Our findings show that the lack of specialised knowledge and resources stimulates collaboration with multiple triple helix agents to ensure the early entry strategy into international markets. We state the relevant implications and propositions concerning the internationalisation of NTBFs and the relationship with triple helix stakeholders.

A interação com atores da hélice tríplice e as perspectivas de desenvolvimento de capacidades empreendedoras

A partir de um estudo de caso de caráter descritivo, o artigo apresenta a experiência de resistência de cooperação academia-mercado do Campus Pinheiral do Instituto Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Ainda que sem um amparo institucional caracterizado pela ausência de um contrato, a cooperação academia-mercado persiste há nove anos na instituição. Por outro lado, esse cenário fragiliza a parceria, expõe os envolvidos a riscos jurídicos e inibe novos projetos. Assim sendo, a pesquisa tem o foco em analisar a experiência da instituição no sentido de desenvolver capacidades empreendedoras. O objetivo é realizar reflexões para subsidiar a criação de uma política de gestão da inovação para o IFRJ. A pesquisa expõe a importância do Marco Legal da Inovação para a promoção de segurança jurídica a trabalhos de cooperação academia-mercado. Discute a respeito do papel dos Institutos Federais com a pesquisa aplicada, o desenvolvimento socioeconômico e a interação com o mercado. Além disso, apresenta que o contexto no IFRJ é favorável para o desenvolvimento de capacidades empreendedoras ao considerar o interesse da alta administração. Mas há dificuldades ao ponderar a existência de uma cultura dominante contra a entrada de capital privado na instituição e o desconhecimento da comunidade sobre incentivos legais.

One for All and All for One: Collaboration and Cooperation in Triple Helix Knowledge Cocreation

If innovation is the engine of economies, the partnerships in the Triple Helix model of innovation are the fuel that makes this engine work. Although each member of this model has its defined role, the present study sought to gain a new perspective on these partnerships, including the role of governments. Based on interviews with representatives of universities, companies, and governments in two countries (i.e., Portugal and Spain), this research focused on how innovation partnerships are formed as well as what obstacles to cooperation can arise. The results show that governments can play the role not only of a financier and legislator but also of a direct participant in innovation by entering into partnerships with the other Triple Helix actors. In addition, this study revealed that, irrespective of which partners and needs are in question, these networks operate mostly with public funds.

Development of wine industries in the New-New World: Case studies of wine regions in Taiwan and Japan

Abstract Drawing on multi-year fieldwork in two wine regions in two emerging wine producing counties, namely Erlin in Taiwan and the Kofu Basin in Japan, this paper discusses key institutional arrangements contributing the development processes of wine sector in the New-New World. Unlike existing studies on the catch-up experiences of wine industries in the New World with emphases on the capability-enhancing mechanisms embedded in the state- or MNC-initiated trans-local networks, this paper finds that the development of Taiwanese and Japanese wine sectors in these two regions has been driven mainly by local actors' active exploration of competence residing in their regional networks. This article employs the Triple Helix (TH) and Innovation systems (IS) as principal frameworks to narrow the research focus on the industry-government-university interaction, and examine the development process and nature of critical institutions supporting the interactive learning and collaboration among the TH actors. Through studying the cases of Taiwanese and Japanese wine industries, this paper goes beyond stating “institutions matter” as in existing IS and TH literature, by illuminating on how to develop institutions to allow actors' interaction to occur and be boosted especially when their local TH are still in the early phase of formation.

Quadruple helix as a network of relationships: creating value within a Swedish regional innovation system

A regional smart specialization initiative is investigated from a quadruple helix framework (industry, government, academia, and users/civil society). Based on a qualitative case study, we examine the interdependencies of actors, resources, and activities from a micro perspective. The aim is to understand the relationships and the value created between the different actors. From the results we conclude that the fourth helix should be viewed as a whole – an arena where triple helix actors in different value adding relationships take on different roles – where they create value to civil society, for example, new jobs or products for improved elderly care. In line with this, we state that the fourth helix is far more complex than limiting it to simply become a fourth separate helix of users or civil society. There is a complexity in that the fourth helix consists of both different users (including triple helix actors) as well as civil society. Users in the quadruple helix framework can also be defined in several ways depending on the context of the arena (the fourth helix) and what value adding activities they bring to civil society. Thus, users can be businesses, organizations, citizens, society, and many more things.

R&D networks in high technology applied to cultural goods in Tuscany. A social network analysis

Purpose of the paper : The aim of this research is to investigate the relationship dynamics of innovation networks in the business of High Technology applied to Cultural Goods (HTCG) in Tuscany, in order to analyze the relevance of the actors’ position and their centrality in the networks. The study contributes to the wide research strand on the importance of network competences and relational capabilities for innovation. Methodology : Social Network Analysis is applied to 42 R&D projects developed by local actors in Tuscany along fifteen years, funded at regional, national and international levels. Findings : The results show that the business of HTCG is a complex business, where inter-organizational relationships are developed among Triple Helix actors in public-private partnerships and industry-university relationships. Research limits : The research adopts a quantitative approach to the study of relationship dynamics in innovation networks and uses the Social Network Analysis. In this context, the analysis of temporary R&D projects is restricted to the results concerning the dynamics of temporary networks and exclusively for formal collaborations. In addition, the research would benefit from some in-depth interviews in order to investigate how and why actors develop relationships and with whom. Practical implications : It is therefore necessary to underline the importance for managers of relational competences for innovation and the relevance of resources and competences also outside the firm’s boundaries, in particular in a complex business like HTCG. Originality of the paper : The work is a preliminary, but original study on HTCG and it depicts several figures on network dynamics in this newly emerging business.

The effort of Triple Helix actors in disruptive technologies

Disruptive technologies are areas of technology capable of creating abrupt changes in the market, creating new economic arena and alter the way of life in our society. In this scope, it is of great importance to perform an investigation related to the technologies and its top players that will possibly play a protagonist role in the main evolutions and changes in our society in the next few years. Understand the dynamics of technology innovation in disruptive areas can bring light on current effort made by private and public sectors, and specially the timeframe for launching new products in market. In this context, this contribution seek to present and discuss the current conjuncture of R&D in a group of technologies considered currently as disruptive for the next two decades. The focus of the work is to analyse the distribution of technology production in these areas in a context of university-industry-government relation, using the concepts of “triple helix”. For this purpose, we present statistical data of patents related to the investigated technology areas, and an analysis try to understand the motivation behind R&D in disruptive technologies, and what is the relationship among the triple helix actors in this innovative process.