THE QUADRUPLE HELIX – A TOOL OF SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
The quadruple helix model defines societal conditions under which innovation flourishes.
In line with the above, E.G. Carayannis & Cambell D.F.J 1 introduced the concept of the ‘Mode 3’, which is a knowledge creation, diffusion and use system.
Furthermore, the ‘Innovation Ecosystem’ is a term that defines the environment necessary for continuous innovation and stresses the importance of a pluralism of a diversity of agents, actors and organizations: universities, small and medium-sized enterprises and major corporations, arranged along the matrix of fluid and heterogeneous innovation networks and knowledge clusters.
It is only when the above meet often by accident and not necessarily by design that we have. This all may result in a ‘democracy of innovative knowledge’, driven by a pluralism of knowledge and innovation.
In industry development and uptake of innovative approaches is slow and hesitant. The area’s low capacity for innovation could ultimately make the offered products obsolete. Innovation can be a cost-effective multiplier constituent of every growth strategy. Diversified human talent could benefit greatly from the emergence of a vibrant, extroverted and adaptable innovation ecosystem; this will build around entrepreneurs-innovators, that derive from Universities and Research Institutions.
The quadruple helix model for innovation stresses the importance of establishing strong working relations and circulation of knowledge among the following four main societal subsystems which constitute the quadruple helix:
a) The education system. (universities, research centers etc.).
b) The economic system. (professionals, firms and investors).
c) Law makers
d) The civil society.
Access to financing continues to be a significant challenge for creation, survival and growth of innovative SMEs. Insufficient networking capabilities and obstacles to collaborating with established corporations are also important impediments that innovators must face.
Helix models, must focus on operationalization aspects at the territorial level, rather than on theoretical or academic reasoning.
There is a need for embedding in the science policy easy-to-use instruments which would facilitate both the understanding as well as the integration of these approaches into strategic regional development policies to both increase it and accelerating it.
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1 Carayannis, E.G. and Campbell, D.F.J. (2009) ‘‘Mode 3’ and ‘Quadruple Helix’: toward a 21st century fractal innovation ecosystem’, Int. J. Technology Management, Vol. 46, Nos. 3/4, pp.201–234.
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