“Open innovation” and “triple helix” models of innovation: can synergy in innovation systems be measured?

Abstract

The model of "Open Innovations" (OI) can be compared with the "Triple Helix of University-Industry-Government Relations" (TH) as attempts to find surplus value in bringing industrial innovation closer to public R&D. Whereas the firm is central in the model of OI, the TH adds multi-centeredness: in addition to firms, universities and (e. g., regional) governments can take leading roles in innovation eco-systems. In addition to the (transversal) technology transfer at each moment of time, one can focus on the dynamics in the feedback loops. Under specifiable conditions, feedback loops can be turned into feedforward ones that drive innovation eco-systems towards self-organization and the auto-catalytic generation of new options. The generation of options can be more important than historical realizations ("best practices") for the longer-term viability of knowledge-based innovation systems. A system without sufficient options, for example, is locked-in. The generation of redundancy-the Triple Helix indicator-can be used as a measure of unrealized but technologically feasible options given a historical configuration. Different coordination mechanisms (markets, policies, knowledge) provide different perspectives on the same information and thus generate redundancy. Increased redundancy not only stimulates innovation in an ecosystem by reducing the prevailing uncertainty; it also enhances the synergy in and innovativeness of an innovation system.

The Effect of Open Innovation on Technology Value and Technology Transfer: A Comparative Analysis of the Automotive, Robotics, and Aviation Industries of Korea

“…Popularized by Chesbrough [11], open innovation refers to the simultaneous use of internal and external resources to strengthen the innovation capabilities of a firm and improve its innovation performance [12]. Diverse cooperation-collaboration among firms, universities, or research institutes-has a positive influence on innovation intensity and innovation output [13]. However, open innovation can also undermine the ability of the firm by increasing its complexity, though it may also provide the firm more flexible and creative opportunities [14,15].…”

Circular Economy in the Triple Helix of Innovation Systems

“…Hence, understanding where innovations are likely to take place would be beneficial in promoting changes towards CE. Studies on innovation models focuses on different perspectives in innovation; e.g., the model of open innovation emphasises firm's external and internal research process [4,5], while the Triple Helix model acknowledges the importance of the institutional spheres industry-government-university relations and knowledge production including shared concepts in innovation [6,7]. Moreover, Triple Helix systems are particularly interesting because they may contribute to systemic innovations that transcend the technologies and competences of their individual spheres [7].…”

“…Studies on innovation systems show that, to promote new innovations effectively, common understanding of central concepts eases their application [6,7,18,19]. Furthermore, interchange of information and knowledge can enrich innovation and assist novel solutions in new sectors [5]. Earlier research [15] indicates that parallel and complementary approaches and applications to CE exist and depend on actors' institutional background; businesses emphasise different approaches as compared with policy organisations.…”

Making energy personal: policy coordination challenges in UK smart meter implementation

“…Further, legislative and regulatory procedures that protect and control new products and processes shape innovative activities (Gregersen 2010). More recent work integrates the supply-side perspective into a "mutual shaping" debate, where demand, supply and technological capabilities interact and codevelop (Leydesdorff and Ivanova 2016).…”