Triple Helix Collaboration Research Articles

Educational Action Research and Triple Helix principles in entrepreneurship education: introducing the EARTH design to explore individuals in Triple Helix collaboration

This article presents a practical approach on how to develop and explore an educational design combining Triple Helix theory and Educational Action Research for support of student learning and innovation activities in interaction with various actors. The design, termed EARTH, organizes systemic interactions between selected sectoral actors at the level of individuals in a context of innovative learning. Educational Action Research and Triple Helix theory share common principles seeking to generate change through collaboration, co-creation, equality, voluntarism, communication, and consensus-making between various actors. This creates a productive framework for supporting students’ innovation activities and learning experiences, educational research, and organizational development. The EARTH design provides a basis for open innovation projects between students, teachers, researchers, and external partners from different sectors. Research data indicate that Triple Helix dynamics of substitution support students’ competence and project developments. The design generates real-world innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for the students through mastery, social change, and vicarious learning. Furthermore, student teams organize self-initiated project interactions with diverse sectoral actors. The principles of Educational Action Research and Triple Helix are ideals that may be difficult to align due to asymmetries between involved partners unless such structural deficiencies are mutually addressed. This may be corrected by reorganizing the relations between Triple Helix spaces of knowledge, innovation, and consensus. The article concludes with a discussion of combining Educational Action Research with Triple Helix theory and some general perspectives for future developments of the EARTH design.

Triple helix networks matching knowledge demand and supply in seven Dutch horticulture Greenport regions

This paper investigates the triple helix (industry, knowledge workers and governments) cooperation on knowledge co-production and valorisation for innovation, which took place in seven horticultural regions in the Netherlands. It thus provides more empirical insight into the functioning of this form of cooperation. Based on a secondary multiple case study analysis, this paper sets out to ascertain what enabled triple helix cooperation in the seven regions with respect to the organisation, the formulation and support for goals and action on knowledge co-production and valorisation. The results indicate that in order to stimulate innovation through triple helix cooperation, the different partners fi rst need to build a proper working relationship and a common language. In order to accomplish this, primary aims for innovation should not be formulated too ambitiously (i.e. too far beyond the entrepreneurs’ daily practice, in particular SMEs). Knowledge workers and policy makers often want to stimulate knowledge co-production and valorisation more radically and quickly. Hence, they have to temper their ambitions. Procedures regarding the cooperation should be rather simple and fl exible. Once a steady working relationship and a common language are developed, then the triple helix collaboration can focus on taking the innovation ambition to a higher level in order to realise more valuable change. At first, entrepreneurs have to experience how they can profit from the cooperation and learn to incorporate knowledge co-production and valorisation step-by-step in their business strategy, including fi nancial investments.

Efficient Triple Helix collaboration fostering local niche innovation projects – A case from Denmark

Collaboration between universities and their local stakeholders is becoming a key success factor for the growth of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. Efficient energy solutions are often facing challenges in innovation diffusion, which is in contrast to the growing demand for providing answers to key ecological problems. In order to present how an efficient Triple Helix collaboration could foster and support niche innovations, an applied research project is introduced. This unique university-industry-government cooperation brings a students' idea to a proof-of-concept project thus covers the entire innovation process. The selected case offers insights of how and why such initiative could emerge, as well as discusses its implications for future technological innovations and in particular those that are about to emerge in regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. Networking, win-win-situations as well as a strong problem orientation were identified as key success factors which may accelerate efficient future Triple Helix collaboration and cooperation for ensuring a higher innovation diffusion success.

Cluster Initiative in Fine Chemicals as a Case of Practical Implementation of Triple Helix Collaboration for Regional Economic Growth and Innovation-Driven Development

In this article the authors apply the cluster theory and the Triple Helix model to analyze the situation and challenges of economic and innovation-driven development of Russian regions starting from 2008 using the example of Tomsk region. Referring to the works of the leading researchers, the authors place special emphasis on the theoretical relevant background for the situation of the practical decision making regarding development of the regional cluster policy. The ground for singling out in the concept of innovation and industrial clusters makes it possible to raise a question of the search of proper measures to support innovation clusters by regional government. Also, it allows noticing change of roles of universities and research institutes. Having reviewed the most prominent examples of petrochemical cluster creation in the world and analyzed a cluster initiative in fine chemical industry in Tomsk region, the authors make several suggestions regarding sustainability of cluster initiatives. An analysis of this phenomenon within the frame of Triple helix enables discovering new areas of work with cluster initiatives for researchers and experts. Besides, the authors try to show that a cluster initiative based on the SME’s leading role hastens the changes in regional economic and investment policy and research agenda of universities. On top of that, the article offers to analyze a number of phenomena within the context of the Triple helix, including appearance of keystone people. They are able to «glue together» disparate elements of the ecosystem and become a base for triple helix based initiatives.

Environmental collaboration in practice: lessons learned from Kalmar

The Triple Helix platform project 2011-2014 further developed the wastewater treatment in the wood industry. Research was also carried out to study the actual practice of such collaboration between sectors. While the main project consisted of industry-university collaboration, initiatives to increase the unofficial regional networks of Triple Helix collaboration were also studied. Interactive research method was used to be able to work in this process and to gain access to the practical knowledge the participants have about this kind of work. Results from this show the importance of informal contacts and forums for discussion between sectors. Other important areas were the financing and time frames which are different and how such differences surface in the interaction between sectors. The changing role of university meant that researchers had the responsibility of creating knowledge with industry and other actors in society, reaching practical results and results of societal relevance. This increased emphasis on the practical relevance of knowledge had to be balanced with the traditional goals for research. Whether or not this is talked about as a Triple Helix there are several points of interest that can be related to wider changes in the way research and the third task is conducted and the context in which research is performed affects the day to day activities of the people working in such an environment.

Living with casinos: The triple-helix approach, innovative solutions, and big data

With the expansion of the casino industry, especially in Asia, there are growing calls for innovative policy for realizing a net economic benefit while effectively controlling problem gambling. Although the triple-helix framework has been traditionally applied to technological innovation, the concepts of knowledge, innovation and consensus spaces of the triple-helix system have enormous implications for complicated issues related to developing casino policy. A cluster analysis of nine Asian countries/regions suggests that superior universities and industries are necessary but not sufficient for a successful triple-helix system. Capabilities related to networking and interactions among the helices are found to be important for a well-functioning triple-helix system. For consensus-driven policy development in the triple-helix collaboration, we propose big data analysis as a useful tool.

Determinants of ICT innovations: A cross-country empirical study

This study investigated key drivers of technological innovation in the ICT industry, attempting to evaluate whether the broadband network infrastructure, diversity of R&D funding, R&D performance, number of researchers, education, openness to international trade, and socio-economic factors have influenced ICT innovations in 40 countries from 1999 through 2013. Through fixed effect regression models of ICT innovation, the study found that high levels of broadband infrastructure and the R&D factors from triple helix collaboration were associated with high levels of ICT innovation. The findings also suggested that innovation infrastructure and the socio-economic factors of nations could be significant determinants of ICT innovation.

Competition and innovation for smart and creative society (CISCS)

The globalization of world economy has changed many aspects of economic structure, speed of technology development, patterns of innovation, competition between nations as well as between companies. In addition, humanity is facing a new historical crisis of global climate, which has prompted varied perspectives of the impact and implication of this crisis on socio-economic horizon of societies. However, despite these various perspectives, there seems to be a converging view that global forces of technology and innovation have strengthened globalization of economic processes. Given this positivist view, it seems that the globalization process will be further intensified regardless of neo-liberalist groups or political progressive groups. (Dicken 2011; Stern et al. 2006). While the intensification of the globalization process has made the world economy more integrated than ever, it has generated a harsh competition environment for smalland medium-sized corporations (SMEs) and multinational corporations (MNCs) in domestic and global markets. Such a severe competition pushes companies, regional and national governments, and universities to collaborate with one another for creating technological innovation and development that arise from R & D activities. In order to be competitive, many advanced nations and newly industrialized nations have built a system of triple helix collaboration that is corporatism between industry, academia, and government. The platform of the triple helix is an innovative cluster in a region, representing a symbol of regional competitiveness as well as that of a national competitiveness in a nation. (Park 2012; Shienstock 2007; Porter 1998). Although there may still be gaps in our understanding of the innovation processes, it is clear that the technological innovation has made a major contribution to the world economy, as well as to the globalization processes. In particular, information and communication technologies (ICT) and transportation technologies have played pivotal roles in improving productivity based on automatization and flexibility, as well as in global logistics based on a rapid transportation system. Additionally, frequent innovation shortens product life cycles that increase competition between companies on national and global markets. (Dicken 2011; Florida 2008). The expanding globalization process based on economic competition between major economic actors has lead to the emergence of global environmental issues that we have to tackle in the twenty-first century. As a result, sustainable development has become the uppermost important issue in the global community. To create sustainable development, proper energy consumption and protecting environment have become key parameters of the global environmental agenda. Therefore, many nations are keen to integrate technology innovation into low-carbon-based green growth strategies that can be the first step towards building a smart and creative society. (Kang 2012). Furthermore, the global economic environment has been changed fundamentally since the global financial crisis starting with subprime mortgage crisis in the US housing market in 2008. Since then the major world economies such as the USA, the EU, and Japan have been sluggish, while the new emerging markets such as China and India continue to generate a relatively high economic growths. Due to the global economic downturn, national economies have been facing challenges how to recover their economic S.-C. Park (&) Graduate School of Knowledge Based Technology and Energy, Korea Polytechnic University, Seoul, South Korea e-mail: scpark@kpu.ac.kr

“Government Support in Triple Helix Collaboration to Provide Health Service Delivery: Case Study Government Hospital in Bengkulu Hospital”

Quality improvement in public service has become a major concern in government institutions as an effort to provide the optimum public service, include for government hospitals in Bengkulu Province. The objective of this study is analyzing the quality level of the service provided by three government hospitals namely RSUD M Yunus, RS Jitra, and RS. DKT (Dinas Kesehatan Tentara). The study uses quantitative-positivistic approach with sampling techniques performed by non probability sample through accidental sampling. This study uses analysis of the Service Quality (SerQual) and the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA). Results showed the dimension of the highest service priority level based on the ratings given by respondents is the assurance. While at the lowest priority of service quality is different, there are differences in all three hospitals. The result shows that health service delivery in Bengkulu involves three stakeholders, which is manifest from triple helix collaboration in providing health service delivery. The stakeholders are academician from Universitas Indonesia who conducts the research; PT Askes (Persero) as Public enterprise who deliver profit oriented body by delivering health insurance, and government by government hospital (RSUD M Yunus, RS Jitra, and RS DKT). Continued research in this area is needed to determine the readiness of Indonesia in implementing the national social security system in health to be held in January 2014.

Critical Review of Triple Helix to Quanto-Tuple Helix: Lesson Learned from Social Security System Act Implementation

The National social security system in Indonesia has not provided answers to the social demands. This led to the discussion of the legal draft of the National Social Security System in Indonesia that in turn seriously responds to the issues of national social security compliance in the healthcare field. The enactment of the draft into Law No. 24 of 2011, shows not only the triple helix collaboration model among scholars, enterprises, and government, but also assigns the legislative body as an additional force in the quadro helix collaboration model. This study analyzes the uncertainty of the future of national health insurance system, therefore, in building planning scenarios there is often an alternative scenario. The result shows that there are two scenarios of the national social security health system i.e. optimistic and pessimistic scenarios. Three strategies can be done by stakeholders i.e. leading sector enactment, interest synchronization, and legal enforcement. The resulting scenarios are expected to be used to formulate a strategy for national social security health system as a model approach to learning and recommendations quanto-tuple helix model.

Triple Helix Collaboration to Develop Economic Corridors as Knowledge Hub in Indonesia

The paper aims to analyze the capabilities of triple helix actor (academician, local business and local government) and propose model of collaboration to develop Indonesia economic corridors in MP3EI as knowledge hub. A range of relevant literatures and secondary data are explored to propose and discuss a conceptual model in this study. The result will become a useful foundation model for the future research of knowledge hub development in a knowledge based-economy. The empirical findings of this study can be used by each triple helix model's actors as a guidance to develop knowledge hubs in each economic corridor in Indonesia.

When Triple Helix Unravels

Cooperative research centres (CRCs) increasingly foster Triple Helix (industry–university–government) collaboration and represent significant vehicles for cooperation across sectors, the promotion of knowledge and technology transfer and ultimately the acceleration of innovation. A growing social science literature on CRCs focuses on their management and best practices, mainly through success stories and rarely by describing and analysing CRC failures. The literature on CRCs can benefit by learning from failures, as has been seen in other areas of social science. Here the authors present four mini-cases of CRC failures – centres that were successfully launched but later declined and closed – and, in contrast, one mini-case of a success story. The analysis identifies: (a) likely contributing factors in the failures, mainly environmental influences and mismanagement of centre transitions; (b) themes in the failures, notably a tendency for problems in one area to magnify the impact of problems in other areas; and (c) learning points for CRCs concerning leadership and succession. The implications for Triple Helix organizations are discussed.

Knowledge-based innovation and collaboration: a triple-helix approach in Saudi Arabia

This study analyzed the research productivity of Saudi academics using the triple-helix model. In the analysis, we combined domestic and international collaboration by three sectors--university, industry, and government--according to the model of the triple-helix. This approach produces better results than by simply including international collaboration as fourth sector. According to the analysis, research collaboration in Saudi Arabia which is measured by the triple-helix, was "-" uncertainty (negative T-value) while scientific productivity has been dramatically increasing since the late 2000s. The triple-helix collaboration does not quite differ between domestic collaboration and "domestic and international" collaborations. In our further analysis, we found that technological development was not based on scientific research in Saudi Arabia; rather, the technological development relies on prior technology (patent references). From that point, Saudi Arabia's current long-term strategic plan to develop a scientific base for a knowledge-based industry is well aligned to the current contexts of Saudi Arabia.

Intermediates in triple helix collaboration: the roles of 4th pillar organisations in public to private technology transfer

Managing triple helix projects is difficult due to differences in culture, incentive mechanisms and overall objectives of the various actors involved. A case study of Precarn, a 4th Pillar or intermediate organisation is used to illustrate how intermediates can help mitigate these difficulties. It is shown that such 4th Pillar organisations are useful, and indeed may be necessary, for successful multi-actor R&D initiatives in the triple helix. The potential benefits of 4th Pillar organisations in supporting triple helix R&D projects are illustrated through the roles Precarn has played in managing it own projects and the successes it has had.

Managing Collaborations of Engineering Management With Academia and Government in Triple Helix Technology Development Projects: A Case Example of Precarn From the Intelligent Systems Sector

:This article examines “triple helix” collaborations, which are technology development projects that consist of industry, academia, and government partners. The article provides engineering managers with a process for engaging in such collaborations. Due to the cultural and organizational differences of partners, effective collaboration is difficult. The process offered follows the general stages of a typical project and discusses the challenges that may arise at each stage. The introduction of a fourth party called a “4th Pillar organization” is recommended as a solution to the difficult process of managing triple helix projects. A case study of the 4th Pillar organization, Precarn, and the benefits it has provided is presented. An engineering manager can use this article to decide whether to engage in triple helix collaborations and, if so, how the process of successful collaboration can be managed by a 4th Pillar-type organization. After reading it, the engineering manager will know whether or not it makes sense to engage a 4th Pillar organization in order to help with triple helix collaboration.

“The Triple-Helix collaboration: Why do researchers collaborate with industry and the government? What are the factors that influence the perceived barriers?”

This paper addresses four questions: What is the extent of the collaboration between the natural sciences and engineering researchers in Canadian universities and government agencies and industry? What are the determinants of this collaboration? Which factors explain the barriers to collaboration between the university, industry and government? Are there similarities and differences between the factors that explain collaboration and the barriers to collaboration? Based on a survey of 1554 researchers funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the results of the multivariate regressions indicate that various factors explain the decision of whether or not to collaborate with industry and the government. The results also differed according to the studied fields. Overall, the results show that the variables that relate to the researcher’s strategic positioning, to the set-up of strategic networks, to the costs related to the production of the transferred knowledge and transactions explain in large part the researcher’s collaboration. The results of the linear regression pointed to various factors that affect collaboration with researchers: research budget, university localization, radicalness of research, degree of risk-taking culture and researcher’s publications. Finally, the last part of the paper presents the results, and what they imply for future research and theory building.