Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

The Quadruple Innovation Helix Nexus pp 111–136Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

The Fourth Helix in Smart Specialization Strategies: The Gap Between Discourse and Practice

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

Despite the academic and political discourses regarding smart specialization strategies and the entrepreneurial ecosystems, particularly underlining the additional role of society (“knowledge society”) referred by the quadruple-helix model, literature is more fragile in assessing the dilemmas it poses. Although innovation is regarded as an essential tool in European policy for the 2014–2020 period and considered as instrumental for the promotion of economic growth and employment, this cannot be considered with disregard to the specific territorial resources, governance and institutional capacity of each region. This chapter seeks to address these gaps in literature. Empirically, it presents an in-depth case study of a particular regional setting (the Region of Aveiro in Portugal) and the process that led to the definition of its Territorial Development Strategy for the 2014–2020 period. Within this backdrop, this chapter also strives to shed light on the current debate on regional governance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Asheim, B., & Gertler, M. (2006). The geography of innovation: Regional innovation systems. In J. Fagerberg, D. Mowery, & R. Nelson (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of innovation (pp. 291–317). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asheim, B. T., & Isaksen, A. (2002). Regional innovation systems: The integration of local ‘sticky’and global ‘ubiquitous’ knowledge. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 27(1), 77–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borrás, S., & Edquist, C. (2013). The choice of innovation policy instruments. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 80(8), 1513–1522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carayannis, E. G., & Campbell, D. (2012). Mode 3 knowledge production in quadruple helix innovation systems: 21st-century democracy, innovation, and entrepreneurship for development. New York: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Carayannis, E. G., & Rakhmatullin, R. (2014). The quadruple/quintuple innovation helixes and smart specialisation strategies for sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe and beyond. In Open innovation yearbook 2014. Luxembourg: European Union.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collinge, C., & Gibney, E. J. (2010). Connecting place, policy and leadership. Policy Studies, 31(4), 379–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooke, P., & Morgan, K. (1998). The associational economy: Firms, regions, and innovation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cooke, P., Gomez Uranga, M., & Etxebarria, G. (1998). Regional systems of innovation: An evolutionary perspective. Environment and Planning A, 30, 1563–1584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crescenzi, R., & Rodriguez-Pose, A. (2011). Innovation and regional growth in the European Union, advances in spatial science. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Etzkowitz, H., & Leydesdorff, L. (1997b). Introduction: Universities in the global knowledge economy. In H. Etzkowitz & L. Leydesdorff (Eds.), Universities and the global knowledge economy: A triple helix of university-industry-government relations. London: Pinter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feiock, R., Steinacker, A., & Park, H. (2009). Institutional collective action and economic development joint ventures. Public Administration Review, 69, 256–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flanagan, K., Uyarra, E., & Laranja, M. (2011). Reconceptualising the ‘policy mix’ for innovation. Research Policy, 40, 702–713.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foray, D. (2009). Structuring a policy response to a “Grand Challenge”. In Knowledge for growth. Prospect for science, technology and innovation. Selected papers from Research Commissioner, Janez Potocnik’s Expert Group. European Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foray, D., Davis, P.A., & Hall, B. (2011). Smart specialisation – From academic idea to political instrument, the surprising career of a concept and the difficulties involved in its implementation, MTEI – Management of Technology & Entrepreneurship Institute. Working Paper 2011-001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foray, D., & Goenaga, X. (2013). The goals of smart specialisation, S3 policy brief series (Vol. 1). Seville: Joint Research Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foray, D., Goddard, J., Beldarrain, X. G., Landabaso, M., McCann, P., Morgan, K., Nauwelaers, C., Ortega-Argilés, R., & Mulatero, F. (2012). Guide to research and innovation strategies for smart specialisations (RIS 3). Luxembourg: European Union.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foray, D. & van Ark, B. (2007, October). Smart specialisation in a truly integrated research area is the key to attracting more R&D to Europe. Knowledge Economists Policy Brief, (1).

    Google Scholar 

  • Foray, D., Davis, P. A. , & Hall, B. (2009, June). Smart specialisation – The concept Knowledge economists policy brief, (9). Brussels: European Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frazer, H., Marlier, E., Natali, D., Dam, R. V., & Vanhercke, B. (2010). Europe 2020: Towards a more social EU? In E. Marlier & D. Natali (Eds.), Europe 2020: Towards a more social EU? (pp. 15–44). Brussels: Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geddes, M. (2010). Inter-organizational relationships in local and local development partnerships. In S. Cropper, M. Ebers, C. Huxham, & P. Smith Ring (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of inter-organizational relations (pp. 203–230). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gertler, M. S. (2003). Tacit knowledge and the economic geography of context, or the undefinable tacitness of being (there). Journal of Economic Geography, 3, 75–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goddard, J., Kempton, L., & Vallance, P. (2013). Universities and smart specialisation: Challenges, tensions and opportunities for the innovation. Ekonomiaz, 83, 83–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, C. V. (2010). Competition and cooperation: Local government joint ventures for economic development. Journal of Urban Affairs, 32, 253–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kersting, N., & Vetter, A. (2003). Reforming local government in Europe: Closing the gap between democracy and efficiency. Opladen: Leske/Budrich.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Klijn, E.-H., & Koppenjan, J. (2000). Public management and policy networks: Foundations of a network approach to governance. Public Management, 2(2), 135–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundvall, B. Ǻ. (Ed.). (1992). National systems of innovation: Towards a theory of innovation and interactive learning. London: Pinter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martínez D., & Palazuelos-Martínez, M. (2014). Breaking with the past in smart specialisation: A new model of selection of business stakeholders within the entrepreneurial process of discovery. Working Papers. Collection B: Regional and sectoral economics 1401, Universidade de Vigo, GEN – Governance and Economics research Network.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCann, P., & Ortega-Argilés, R. (2013). Smart specialization, regional growth and applications to European Union Cohesion policy. Regional Studies, 49(8), 1291–1302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, K. (2016, May 3). Nurturing novelty: Regional innovation policy in the age of smart specialisation. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 0263774X16645106, first published on May 3, 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2007). Higher education and regions: Globally competitive, locally engaged. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2013). Innovation-driven growth in regions: The role of smart specialisation, preliminary version. Paris: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Papadopoulos, Y. (2007). Problems of democratic accountability in network and multilevel governance. European Law Journal, 13(4), 469–486. doi:10.1111/j.1468-0386.2007.00379.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pavitt, K. (2002). Knowledge about knowledge since Nelson & Winter: A mixed record. SPRU Working Paper Series 83, SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, W., & Grodal, S. (2006). Networks of innovators. In J. Fagerberg, D. C. Mowery, & R. R. Nelson (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of innovation (pp. 56–85). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santinha, G., Rodrigues, C., & Almeida, A. (2009). Rumo a um novo ciclo de apoio comunitário: que impactos na definição de políticas territoriais de desenvolvimento local? O município de Arouca Inforgeo, 24, 45–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teles, F. (2014). Facilitative mayors in complex environments: Why political will matters. Local Government Studies, 40(5), 809–829. doi:10.1080/03003930.2013.801835.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teles, F. (2015). Local political leaders and context awareness: Identifying perceptions of autonomy and efficacy, space and polity (Published online: 06 Mar 2015). doi:10.1080/13562576.2015.1017227.

  • Teles, F. (2016). Local governance and intermunicipal cooperation. Houndmills/Basingstoke/Hampshire/New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teles, F., & E Kettunnen, P. (2016). Why municipal cooperation matters: Diversity and research agendas. In U. Sadioglu & K. Dede (Eds.), Theoretical foundations and discussions on the reformation process in local governments (pp. 140–152). Hershey: IGI Global.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winters, C. (2009). How cities can harness the capabilities of universities in a period of economic uncertainty. The URBACT Tribune: European Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yawson, R. M. (2009, June 21–24). The ecological system of innovation: A new architectural framework for a functional evidence-based platform for science and innovation policy. The future of innovation: Proceedings of the XX ISPIM 2009 Conference, Vienna.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeitlin, J. (2010). Towards a stronger OMC in a more social Europe 2020: A new governance architecture. In E. Marlier & D. Natali (Eds.), Europe 2020: Towards a More Social EU? (pp. 253–273). Brussels: Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zerbinati, S. (2012). Multi-level Governance and EU structural funds: An entrepreneurial local government perspective. Local Government Studies, 38, 577–597.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidade de Aveiro/University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    Carlos Rodrigues & Filipe Teles

  2. Department of Social, Political and Territorial Sciences, Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies (GOVCOPP) / Public Policies, Institutions, Innovation (P2I2), Aveiro, Portugal

    Carlos Rodrigues & Filipe Teles

Authors
  1. Carlos Rodrigues
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Filipe Teles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. P-BIO Portugal’s Biotechnology Industry Organization, Coimbra, Portugal

    Sara Paulina De Oliveira Monteiro

  2. Department of Information Systems and Technology Management, School of Business George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

    Elias G. Carayannis

Copyright information

© 2017 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rodrigues, C., Teles, F. (2017). The Fourth Helix in Smart Specialization Strategies: The Gap Between Discourse and Practice. In: De Oliveira Monteiro, S., Carayannis, E. (eds) The Quadruple Innovation Helix Nexus. Palgrave Studies in Democracy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship for Growth. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-55577-9_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation