Press release

28 June 2010   

 NEW RESEARCH THROWS LIGHT ON TRENDS IN USER ORIENTATED INNOVATION

A new report ‘Exploring the Quadruple Helix', is launched today, as part of a European exchange project aimed at improving innovation policy.

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

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.

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 a 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."

CLIQ Project Leader Laura Ahonen commented "We can see how the Quadruple Helix debate connects directly to the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. It implies a better connection between stakeholders and a smarter use of resources. CLIQ partner local authorities and service providers can play an important role in building good learning spaces for connecting these stakeholders into innovation, with a greater focus on citizens and users in the future. This report provides us with material for reflection. It gives us the opportunity to assess the current status of our innovation strategies, then to make steps towards more user centred models. "

Exploring the Quadruple Helix Report

For more information please contact  your local CLIQ partner or

Robert Arnkil, Work Research Centre, University of Tampere
Phone +358 50 5632843
Email :

 Laura Ahonen, CLIQ Project Manager

e-mail:

tel +358 50 59 53 911