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 wholean arena where triple helix actors in different value adding relationships take on different roleswhere 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. ABSTRAIT Une initiative de sp ecialisation intelligente r egionale est examin ee a travers un mod ele a quadruple h elice (industrie, gouvernement, milieu universitaire et utilisateurs/soci et e civile). En nous basant sur une etude qualitative de cas, nous explorons les interd ependances des acteurs, des ressources et des activit es dans une micro-perspective. Notre objectif est de comprendre les relations et la valeur cr e ee entre les diff erents acteurs. Nos r esultats nous am enent a conclure que la quatri eme h elice doitêtre prise en compte dans son ensembleune ar ene dans laquelle des acteurs a triple h elice engag es dans des relations a valeur ajout ee jouent des rôles diff erentsy cr eant de la valeur pour la soci et e civile, par exemple de nouveaux emplois ou de nouveaux produits pour une am elioration des soins aux personnesâg ees. Conform ement a cette approche, nous affirmons que la quatri eme h elice est bien plus complexe que si elle se limitait a devenir simplement une quatri eme h elice distincte compos ee d'usagers et de membres de ARTICLE HISTORY

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The purpose of this paper is to enhance our understanding of intra-organizational trust in public organizations by studying interpersonal trust in both vertical and horizontal relationships from a bidirectional perspective. Previous research has focused on trust at a single level of analysis, ignoring influences from other organizational levels, which has led to gaps in our understanding of trust. In addition, few studies take a bidirectional perspective where a trustor is simultaneously a trustee and vice versa. Through a case study, we contributed to filling this gap by studying the antecedents of trustability, benevolence and integrity.

Purpose The literature has shown great interest in open innovation (OI), and also discussed its degree of openness based on, for example, the number of parties involved. Less is known, however, about what makes OI processes work. The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss the importance of trust in OI, and the paper specifically focusses on a start-up company’s OI processes with collaboration parties. The paper points out how a lack of trust antecedents may disable such OI processes. Design/methodology/approach The empirical part of the paper consists of a case study on a medicine technology start-up. Interviews and analyses of secondary sources made up the main data capturing methods. Each collaboration between the start-up and another party is analysed through three trust antecedents: contractual, competence based, and goodwill. Findings The paper shows how either party may have chosen to discontinue the collaboration, based on the lack of competence or goodwill antecedents to trust. Specifically, the case indicates how the start-up discontinues the collaboration based on a perceived lack of goodwill, while the collaboration party bases its decision on competence deficits by the start-up. Originality/value The paper contributes to previous research through describing OI related to start-ups, and introducing trust antecedents as prerequisites for OI. To the literature on trust, trust mutuality makes a research contribution.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the knowledge on business model transformation (BMT) by developing an integrative framework for BMT dilemmas, including strategies for shaping and stabilizing market structures. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a case-based approach, with data from the Swedish electric utility industry. Findings The findings uncover practices related to both shaping and stabilizing market structure. The study contributes with insights for firms to overcome the BMT dilemma. Shaping strategies involve disruptive innovations while stabilizing strategies concerns incremental improvements in existing structures; by balancing these efforts, firms can find ways toward successful BMT. Originality/value With a focus on incumbent firms and the balancing act of BMT in a network, the study covers areas that have scarcely been addressed in the existing literature. Even though most business model literature has focused on shaping consumer markets, the need to consider BMT as a dual-directional process in an industrial context is emphasized in this study.