Science Parks Approaches to Address Sustainability: A Qualitative Case Study of the Science Parks in Spain

From Triple To Quintuple Helix: Innovation And Sustainability

Triple Helix (TH) is the framework of reciprocal university-industry-government relationships for the creation and the exchange of knowledge (Etzkowitz and Leydesdorff, 2000a) that provides an instrument to promote the innovation at a regional or national level (Chuyan, 2011). In this model of knowledge and innovation, each helix fulfils its traditional function: universities provide with creative researchers, companies transform research and creativity into products and innovation and governments contribute with legislation and financial support. In addition, one helix can also play the role of each other. Interaction and reciprocity between the three different spheres becomes key elements of the innovation process (Dzisah and Etzkowitz, 2008). TH model emphasizes on higher education and business as drivers of the innovation process, that is, it takes the perspective of the knowledge economy (Carayannis et al., 2012).