Triple Helix Networks in a Multicultural Context: Triggers and Barriers for Fostering Growth and Sustainability

Abstract

This article deals with Triple Helix (university, industry and government cooperation) from an institutional theory perspective. The empirical context is the Western Cape Region in South Africa and the focus is entrepreneurship development. The purpose is two-fold: first, the existing Triple Helix model is adapted to the South African context; and second, facilities and impediments for working according to Triple Helix in South Africa are identified. The empirical material consists of a survey and three longitudinal case studies illustrating the degree of cooperation between the three parties. The article contributes to knowledge about how the Triple Helix model works on a regional level in a developing country. The study draws the following conclusions: when cooperation is to be identified between the three actors, only two of the three are involved; one missing link in the Triple Helix model is the focus on the entrepreneur; cooperation between the three parties are incidental rather than planned and there is lack of structure. In turn, some of these conclusions may be an effect of institutional changes on a national level. For a normative legacy, the article proposes a set of suggestions for incorporating all relevant parties on a practical level.

Organizing practices of university, industry and government that facilitate (or impede) the transition to a hybrid triple helix model of innovation

“…Of relevance for this paper, developing countries have struggled to make the transition to a hybrid triple helix model by virtue of their lack of resources and weak institutions [37,45,46]. Recent work has increasingly focused on identifying antecedents and specific institutional factors that constrain the adoption of the triple helix model of innovation in developing countries [17][18][19]47,48]. This stream of studies identifies national innovation culture as a salient, but often, taken-for-granted factor that shapes the triple helix ambitions of developing countries.…”

A Quest for Viable Economic Model for Peshawar Pakistan- Using Etzkowitz Conceptual Framework of Triple Helix Model

“…Moreover, if institutional barriers, i.e. resistance to change exist among the three institutions, long term cooperation among the three cannot be form (Brundin et al, 2008). Thus, hybrid institutions (mentioned above) cannot be developed.…”

“…For example, if government is only interested in policy formulation while ignoring implementation, industry doesn't show interest for mutual cooperation while academia research is not benefiting industry, Triple Helix is likely to fail. Institutional barriers, such as diverse organizational goals and objectives; structure and resistance to change might hamper the process of economic growth and innovation (Brundin et al, 2008). Furthermore, if the three institutions are subject to mimetic, coercive and normative pressure; triple helix from an institutional perspective cannot foster economic growth and innovation (DiMaggio and Powell, 1983;Brundin et al, 2008).…”

Democratizing the scientific space: The constellation of new epistemic strategies around the emerging metaphor of socially embedded autonomy

“…She suggests that protagonists such as knowledge and technology end-users, social networks, media organizations, patrons, NGO's and others should be included under the model of the tetra helix in which society "plays an important role in the relations between university-private enterprise and government" [31].…”