Exploring the Quadruple Helix - research report

28th of June, 2010

The  ‘Exploring the Quadruple Helix' report is launched today, as part of the CLIQ project.

The overall aim of the research is to explore and further define the Quadruple Helix model in innovation and policy practice. The results will feed into CLIQ interregional learning and underpin exchange, shared understanding and local policy development.

The Quadruple Helix refers to the interaction of four pillars in innovation ecosystems: knowledge institutions, enterprises, government and civil society.

The Quadruple Helix, argues the report, represents a shift towards systemic, open and user-centric innovation policy. An era of linear, top-down, expert driven development, production and services is giving way to different forms and levels of co-production with consumers, customers and citizens.

The report findings describe how increasing user orientation can bring benefits in narrowing the innovation gap. Public authorities can develop environments which both support and utilize citizen centred innovation activities. Moving towards Quadruple Helix models does, however, have ramifications for all stakeholders in both the private and public sectors. It requires a significant culture change, adaptation of processes, acquisition of new skills and a re-distribution of power. If public authorities are able to rise to the challenge of changing the way services are designed and delivered it means allowing citizens to take a turn ‘in the driving seat'.

Study leader Robert Arnkil said "This research commission presented quite a challenge - to explore a concept that is not well defined, and to assess it relevance to public authorities in the EU. Our view is that the Quadruple Helix is more of a continuum or space for innovation, rather than one discreet model. However, we can conclude that this is an important new paradigm that has a wide application and relevance to all levels of government."

The report was commissioned by the City of Jyväskylä in Finland, as part of the CLIQ Interreg IVC project, and undertaken by the Work Research Centre at the University of Tampere.