Triple Helix Innovation System Research Articles

Evolution of innovation systems, economic growth, and sustainable competitiveness in Africa

This paper examines the systemic relationship between triple helix innovation systems and the gross domestic product per capita growth (GDPPC) in terms of sustainable competitiveness in Africa. To do this, the Generalized Moment Method on the panel vector autoregressive model is used to estimate helix models’ (triple helix, quadruple helix, quintuple helix, as well as the open quintuple helix, relative to external contributions) effects on GDPPC between 2007 and 2019 in 27 African countries, and causality tests completion as well. The results show 3 coevolution relationships resulting from the narrow innovation system, which is made up of the burden of government regulations, companies’ expenditures on research and development (R&D) as well as the quality of scientific research institutions. The system expansion (the broad innovation system) with the degree of consumer orientation and natural resource rents generate both 7 (respectively 3 and 4) coevolution relationships. Finally, the opening of the innovation system by considering the business impact of rules on foreign direct investment (BIFDI) alone, generates 5 coevolution relationships. So, in terms of overall sustainable competitiveness strategies in Africa, countries must focus on innovation system opening and natural resources exploitation to increase their GDPPC. Thus, this study fills the gap of a deficit in technological policy orientation on the relationships between innovation systems and sustainable competitiveness through economic growth in Africa.

Synergy within the West African Triple Helix innovation systems as measured with game theory

Purpose University, industry and government relationships, known under the Triple Helix, have been studied under various aspects. The West African region and countries have been analysed with mutual information and transmission power, two information theory-based indicators. The purpose of this paper is to portray the landscape of West African Triple Helix innovation systems using three main game theory indicators (core, Shapley value and nucleolus) with the objective to measure the synergy within the selected innovation systems. Design/methodology/approach The collaboration between university, industry and government is modelled as a three-person coalitional game. Bibliographical data of selected countries were collected from Web of Science and organised according to collaboration patterns between the three actors. The characteristic functions of the games were computed, the cores plotted, the Shapley values and the nucleoli computed. Findings Either university or government has more power to create and lead to synergy; government shows solidarity towards university and industry in most of countries; and they are joined in their efforts by industry in two countries. The core exists in all the countries meaning that all the selected innovation systems present synergy; however, the extent is limited and varies over countries. Research limitations/implications Innovation includes all research products; however, this study focuses on publications only. Originality/value Synergy within a Triple Helix innovation system is studied up to now with information theory indicators. The paper portrays the landscape of West African Triple Helix innovation systems using three main game theory indicators: the core, the Shapley value and the nucleolus and gives a new way to study university, industry and government relationships.

Measuring synergy within a Triple Helix innovation system using game theory: cases of some developed and emerging countries

Synergy within a Triple Helix innovation system has been measured in relevant literature using mutual information and transmission power, all based on Shannon’s information theory. However, as a complex system, Triple Helix relationships may also be analysed with various techniques and tools from other disciplines among which game theory. Thus, the synergy may be measured with indicators like the core, the Shapley value and the nucleolus. The core measures the extent of the synergy, the Shapley value indicates an actor’s strength to lead to and create synergy and the nucleolus determines an actor’s strength to maintain synergy. The Triple Helix innovation systems of eight countries among which four developed—USA, UK, Germany and France—and four emerging—Russia, India, Brazil and China—were analysed based on their scientific output using game theory. It appears that the biggest Triple Helix science producer has more power to lead to and create synergy; government shows solidarity to maintain synergy within the innovation system. The level of synergy is higher in developing countries (led by France, 1.7–2%) than in emerging ones (led by Brazil, less than or equal to 1%), operating a division of selected countries according to their level of development. The study shows that state intervention in the economy influences the position of the core on a ternary diagram.

Smart specialization in regional innovation systems: a quadruple helix perspective

This article explores Robotdalen, a smart specialization initiative in the region of Mälardalen, Sweden, and its impact on regional innovation systems (RIS). The Robotdalen initiative, with the goal to create a regional center for robotics, was established based on the triple helix innovation systems model of industry, university, and government interaction. This paper aims to understand the dynamic interactions of the smart specialization strategy in relation to the RIS. It also includes the perspective of the fourth helix, which contains civil society and users. To date, there has been a scarcity of research which explores the challenges of quadruple helix models from a micro perspective to understand their complexity. To address this, a single case study approach is taken, which includes a longitudinal perspective of 10 years (2007–2016). The analysis includes micro activities explored from a strategizing perspective. The research contributes by identifying three strategic practices that have evolved over time for Robotdalen. It also presents an empirical operationalization of the fourth helix, as well discusses the arrival of the fourth helix perspective.

Leveraging triple helix and system intermediaries to enhance effectiveness of protected spaces and strategic niche management for transitioning to circular economy

Abstract The transition to circular economy has been heralded as a vision to overcome the challenges of rapid population growth, economic stagnation and environmental degradation. A promising policy tool for accelerating such a transition is strategic niche management (SNM), the central tenet of which is the formation of ‘protected spaces’ to support the growth of sustainable innovation. Studies have demonstrated that current top–down policy approaches to governing protected spaces have led to the unintended consequences of network tensions, low quality learning processes and low innovation adoption rates outside protected spaces. This limits the impact of SNM as a transition tool. Through a detailed literature review, this article looks into a novel devolved governance framework for protected spaces in the context of transition to circular economy. The framework addresses current limitations of SNM by acknowledging the synergistic relationship with the triple helix innovation system; and innovation intermediation. Transition to circular economy turns on the achievement of ‘triple helix consensus’ across ‘protected spaces’ to provide the requisite platform for sustained innovation and for the recurrent choice of knowledge and market systems that are consistent with the circular economy growth trajectory.

In Search of an Alternative Regional Industrial Policy by Linking Cluster Policy with Smart Specialization Strategy and the Triple Helix Innovation System

In Search of an Alternative Regional Industrial Policy by Linking Cluster Policy with Smart Specialization Strategy and the Triple Helix Innovation System

What contextual factors shape ‘innovation in innovation’? Integration of insights from the Triple Helix and the institutional logics perspective

While the Triple Helix relationship between university, industry and government, called ‘innovation in innovation’ by Etzkowitz, has frequently been a key concept guiding national and regional innovation policies around the world, there is an emerging awareness that no one-size-fits-all approach can be used in developing innovation systems. Criticism has been expressed that the conceptualization of the Triple Helix model in the most recent literature pays little attention to contextual effects. The present article seeks to enhance the context sensitivity of the Triple Helix model by integrating it with the insights of institutional logics. More specifically, seven ‘ideal’ institutional logics aligned with ‘ideal’ Triple Helix activities in Western society are identified. These have a potential to be used as a conceptual/benchmarking framework for understanding how institutional settings, particularly institutional logics, influence the development of Triple Helix innovation systems in different national contexts. To verify such a proposition, some alternative Triple Helix models as well as associated institutional logics are compared to the ideal-type, demonstrating that different institutional logics may divert the Triple Helix interactions in other directions. Meanwhile, it is claimed that institutional logics do not necessarily lead to a Triple Helix model but serve only as enabling conditions. To what extent the Triple Helix will be developed depends on innovation policies and on the key actors involved in the innovation process. The framework constructed in this study aims to provide a solid basis from which policymakers, especially those from developing and transition countries, may improve the design of these innovation policies by employing appropriate Triple Helix approaches.

Structural holes, knowledge intermediaries and evolution of the triple helix system with reference to the hard disk drive industry in Thailand

Abstract This article explores the evolutionary process underlying the development of the triple helix innovation system and the role of knowledge intermediaries in the process. It draws on the experience of knowledge network development in an SME cluster in the Thai hard disk drive industry. Conceptually, the evolutionary process starts with inter-firm networks, which occur in the form of supply chain-based vertical links and trade association or cluster-based horizontal links. These evolve into triple helix networks and culminate into the triple helix innovation system through the agency of network dynamics. Intermediaries enhance network development as sponsors, providing funds; as brokers, closing and bridging structural holes that disconnect network players; and as boundary spanners, facilitating knowledge circulation. The case study suggests that knowledge network development in Thailand has a long way to go before morphing into the triple helix innovation system. Some evidence of network dynamics was nonetheless detected; but for lack of trust in the triple helix culture the fledgling network dynamics fizzled out when the government prop, which initiated the process, was withdrawn. The article concludes by highlighting the need for policy to promote the culture of trust among network players and for knowledge intermediaries to be robustly systemic in their organization and operation.

Mapping out the Triple Helix: how institutional coordination for competitiveness is achieved in the global wine industry

As of 2010, the OECD countries spent over $968 billion annually on research and development (R&D), with China spending another $179 billion, Russia $32 billion and Taiwan $24 billion. Evidently, the world’s policymakers have concluded that investment in R&D is a key to their future economic growth. As globalisation takes place, and developing countries increasingly show their ability to compete in labour-intensive manufactures, the race is on to develop new innovations that will create high skill, high productivity employment. President Obama’s championing of electric cars, alternative energy research and other high technology ventures is mirrored in efforts around the global to win the innovation race. But how such efforts should be organised is very much open to debate. This paper reviews in depth perhaps the fastest growing perspective, namely the Triple Helix. In June 2013, a Google search for ‘Triple Helix innovation’ revealed 281,000 hits. A library search gave over 1300 citations in books and papers using the same terms. An international association, TripleHelix.org, organises an annual conference featuring thousands of participants from academia, government and business. All of this indicates that the Triple Helix has become one of, if not the, most widely used perspectives on innovation. However, there are some major shortcomings with the approach, in particular its applicability to policy situations. Over the course of 2009–12, we developed case studies of the wine industry in Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and several US states by mapping out Triple Helix institutions and examining their interactions through secondary analysis of the literature; primary searches for industry and policy documents and websites; a global online survey of key actors; and, in most cases, in-depth interviews with the principals of key research, policy and industry bodies. Our exercise allows us to move towards more specific policy recommendations for improving innovation and competitiveness than Triple Helix theory has allowed up to this point. In creating a more precise and analytical mapping tool for Triple Helix interaction, we can develop the present heuristic approach of the Triple Helix into an approach that can examine what is actually happening in terms of inter-institutional coordination for innovation. With more precise maps of institutional interaction as it exists, we can understand more about what types of interactions are most effective in which situations. We are able to show the utility of this approach by revealing patterns across the wine case studies which suggest how the Triple Helix can be better understood, measured and applied to concrete situations. Above all, attention to strategy developed through consensus and policy leadership, and the development of specialised and locally-adapted hybrid organisations with both formal and informal overlapping personnel and funding, appear to be the keys to ensuring a successful Triple Helix innovation system.

Quadruple Helix as a Way to Bridge the Gender Gap in Entrepreneurship: The Case of an Innovation System Project in the Baltic Sea Region

In most developed economies there exist a clear gap between men and women in terms of prevalence of entrepreneurial activity. The gender gap can be traced back to the general perceptions of gender in society, where entrepreneurial venturing is culturally defined as a masculine activity. In this paper, we analyse how such gendered norms are brought into Triple Helix innovation system models, and identify roles and challenges of NGOs in the alternative conceptualization of Quadruple Helix. Based on an exploratory case study of a Quadruple Helix innovation system project in the tourism industry, we find that NGOs may fill four roles in bridging the gender gap: (1) collaborative platforms for women-led SMEs, (2) legitimating and linking women-led SMEs to governmental and academic actors, (3) developing competences and process innovations related to entrepreneurial venturing outside traditional Triple Helix constellations and (4) carrying individual and societal aspects of entrepreneuring.

Triple Helix Innovation Model: Linking the Academia, the Business Sector and the Government, Case Study of Macedonia

Innovation has become a key factor to sustainable growth and knowledge economy creation, having impact on the national competitiveness in the regional and global economy.Innovation systems in small, landlocked developing countries are, inherently problematic, characterized by poor business and governance conditions, low educational levels and meritocratic infrastructure. This raises particular challenges for introducing structured innovative models in small developing countries such as Macedonia. The aim of this paper is to touch upon certain anomalies of the Macedonian innovation system and, at the same time, to entice the much needed debate on the triple helix innovation system formation in Macedonia.

On the Nucleolus of a Characteristic Function Game

Introduction. The nucleolus is a solution concept for games in characteristic function form. It was introduced by D. Schmeidler in [1]. This paper is concerned with some of the properties of the nucleolus. Some of the results are new (Theorems 2, 4, 5) whereas others are known (Theorems l and 3), but the proofs given here are, in a sense, simpler than those in [1]. A characteristic function game is a pair (N, v) consisting of a set N = {1, 2, , n} of n players, and a characteristic function v, which maps each subset S of N, called a coalition, to a number v(S). In addition, it is assumed that v(N) _ 0, and that v(S) = 0 for all one-person coalitions, as well as for the empty coalition. A payoff vector is an n-tuple x = (x1, , xn) such that xi > 0 for all i = 1, , n, and x(N) = v(N), where for each coalition S, x(S) denotes Zi,eS Xi. X is the set of all payoff vectors. Of course, X depends on the particular game v. For any x in X, let q(x) be a vector in E2n, the components of which are the numbers v(S) x(S), arranged in order of decreasing magnitude, where S runs over all the coalitions of N. We shall say that x is at least as acceptable as y (with respect to v), and write x > y, if q(x) is not greater than q(y), in the lexicographical order on E2n. If q(x) is smaller than q(y), we shall say that x is more acceptable than y and write x >y. The nucleolus of the game is the set of those points in X which are "most acceptable," that is, {x E X :x > y for all y E X}. In [1], Schmeidler proved the basic result that every game possesses a nonempty nucleolus. He further showed that the nucleolus actually consists of just one point, and that-viewed as a point function of the game-it is continuous. Our aim is to give new proofs of the uniqueness and of the continuity of the nucleolus. To this end, we will have to introduce a few definitions and to prove an auxiliary theorem (Theorem 2), which may have some interest in its own right. DEFINITION. Let bo, b1, ... , bp be a sequence of sets whose elements are coalitions of N. This sequence is a coalition array whenever: (i) every coalition of N is contained in exactly one of the sets b1, bp, (ii) bo contains only one-element coalitions. For every game v and payoff vector x, let b1(x, v) be the set of those S c N for which max {v(S) x(S): S c N} is attained. Similarly, b2(x, v) is the set of those S c N where max {v(S) x(S) :S ? b1(x, v)} is attained, and so on. Finally, let bo(x) = {{i} : xi = 0}. It is obvious that bo(x), b1(x, v), . . , bp(x, v) is a coalition array. We shall say that it is the array that belongs to (v, x). DEFINITION 2. A coalition array bo, , bp has property I if for all k= 1,2,...,pandanyyinE n, (1) y(S) _ 0forall Sebo, (2) y(S) ? O for all Se b1 U U bk, and (3) y(N) = 0

The Nucleolus of a Characteristic Function Game

Abstract : In RM 23, a proof was given that the nucleolus is continuous as a function of the characteristic function. This proof is not correct; the author, at least, does not know how to complete it. In the paper a correct proof for this fact is given. The proof is based on an alternative definition of the nucleolus, which is of some interest in its own right. (Author)