Triple Helix or Quadruple Helix: Which Model of Innovation to Choose for Empirical Studies?

Abstract

While the Triple Helix and Quadruple Helix models are popular in innovation studies, the relations between them have not been addressed extensively in the literature. There are diverse interpretations of helix models in empirical studies that apply them, but these sometimes deviate from the original theses of the models. Such a situation can confuse newcomers to the field in terms of which helix model to apply in their empirical research. We discern that the cause of this research challenge is a lack of systematic comparison of the two models. To bridge the research gap, this paper compares the models from the perspectives of how they were introduced and discussed in the literature and improved and how useful they are in addressing the innovation processes in contemporary society. Our major findings are as follows: First, reviewing the extant literature applying the two helix models for identifying research gaps, we discover that these studies were influenced by three views on the relations between the two models that were located on a continuum between two extreme ends—namely, isolation versus integration of the two models. Second, we provide a systematic comparison of both the advantages and weaknesses of the two models, and this may help researchers choose suitable helix models as conceptual/analytical tools in their empirical innovation studies. Third, our comparison of the two models shows that they are largely supplementary to each other when analysing innovation processes in contemporary society, providing a ground for potential synergy building between the two helix models.

The Triple Helix Model and the Future of Innovation: A Reflection on the Triple Helix Research Agenda

“…For instance, a literature review project led by Marcelo Amaral (Co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal) at the Triple Helix Research Group, Fluminense Federal University, consider how explicit these concepts are applied as a critical criterion to identify Triple Helix studies. Lacking a comprehensive understanding of these concepts, which are important parts of the Triple Helix thesis, often leads to misunderstanding and misusing the Triple Helix model in empirical studies (Cai & Lattu, 2021). Next, we briefly introduce the concepts associated with the Triple Helix model.…”

“…In this sense, it is similar to other analytical tools, such as the innovation system. The Triple Helix model and the innovation system approach differ due to their separate theoretical roots, namely the general system theory and Simmel's triadic interactions (Cai & Lattu, 2021). Etzkowitz and Zhou (2017) contrasted the two concepts in 10 dimensions.…”

“…Cai (2014Cai ( , 2015 further identified seven institutional logics as intangible conditions triple helix 8 (2021) 217-229 enabling an ideal type of Triple Helix model. It must be stressed that civil society is not absent in the Triple Helix model, as some researchers might misunderstand (Cai & Lattu, 2021). Instead, civil society has been considered 'the launch pad for take-off triple helix interactions' (Etzkowitz, 2014, p. 19) or an institutional ground of the Triple Helix (Cai, 2015).…”

“…In a very recent article, Cai and Lattu (2021) systematically examined the strengths and weaknesses of the Triple Helix model (as well as the Quadruple Helix model) for understanding innovation dynamics in innovation ecosystems that represent the contemporary or future society. They identified the (changing) features in innovation ecosystems in three dimensions compared to those in innovation systems.…”

“…Second, while the articles, in the special issue and also in the journal, deal with a wide range of themes in triple helix 8 (2021) 217-229 different sectors of the society related to innovation, we asked ourselves: Can the Triple Helix model be applied to deal with 'everything' or, if not, what are the boundary conditions? This question is linked to an ongoing debate regarding the model's usefulness for understanding the dynamics of innovation in a changing society (Cai & Lattu, 2021). Thus, before we introduce the articles included in the special issue, we will address the two concerns of editors and probably many others in the Triple Helix research community.…”