Brainport Eindhoven: born from crisis - 25 years as a Triple Helix Governed Ecosystem

Various researchers have called for research into positive examples of successful triple helix governed ecosystems. Triple Helix collaborations are seen as the solution to tackle the current ‘wicked problems’ of society. Researchers are encouraged to enhance our understanding of governing inter-orga...

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Main Authors: Mark Bronneberg, Jos Pieterse, Ger Post
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Engenharia (FEUP) 2023-04-01
Series:Journal of Innovation Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journalsojs3.fe.up.pt/index.php/jim/article/view/1345
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author Mark Bronneberg
Jos Pieterse
Ger Post
author_facet Mark Bronneberg
Jos Pieterse
Ger Post
author_sort Mark Bronneberg
collection DOAJ
description Various researchers have called for research into positive examples of successful triple helix governed ecosystems. Triple Helix collaborations are seen as the solution to tackle the current ‘wicked problems’ of society. Researchers are encouraged to enhance our understanding of governing inter-organizational collaborations (ecosystems) in the context of university-industry-government (Triple Helix) relations. In this paper we therefore describe a case study of the Brainport Eindhoven ecosystem in the Netherlands which embodies a triple helix organization and how the regional governmental structure (Brainport Foundation and Brainport Development) on the one hand stabilizes at a strategic level and on the other hand gives flexibility at the tactical and operational level. This leads to the transfer of knowledge and to innovation and change within the network. Using mixed methods of 1) analysis of (strategic) documents about the regional governance used and how the Brainport Eindhoven mission evolved through time; 2) semi-structured interviews with current and former Brainport Foundation board members and former Brainport Development managers; and 3) network participant observations; we reveal rich experiences from 25 years of Brainport Eindhoven. This research shows the historical overview of Brainport Eindhoven and how the triple helix parties together managed several  regional or worldwide crises. This togetherness was crucial in the development of a successful regional ecosystem. Our findings illustrate the fragile balance between stability and flexibility within the ecosystem and its governance based on processes of common sensemaking by all stakeholders. Our paper contributes to a better understanding of the development and governance of triple helix entrepreneurial ecosystems. Finally, this paper makes suggestions for future research by discussing the ambition to transform the ecosystem into a Quadruple Helix (adding the ‘community’ as a fourth pillar) organized ecosystem.
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spelling doaj.art-567d00e37b9c49b5a5e3e68d9261e0642023-11-09T10:39:24ZengUniversidade do Porto, Faculdade de Engenharia (FEUP)Journal of Innovation Management2183-06062023-04-01111366710.24840/2183-0606_011.001_00031516Brainport Eindhoven: born from crisis - 25 years as a Triple Helix Governed EcosystemMark Bronneberg0Jos Pieterse1Ger Post2Municipality EindhovenFontys University of Applied SciencesFontys University of Applied SciencesVarious researchers have called for research into positive examples of successful triple helix governed ecosystems. Triple Helix collaborations are seen as the solution to tackle the current ‘wicked problems’ of society. Researchers are encouraged to enhance our understanding of governing inter-organizational collaborations (ecosystems) in the context of university-industry-government (Triple Helix) relations. In this paper we therefore describe a case study of the Brainport Eindhoven ecosystem in the Netherlands which embodies a triple helix organization and how the regional governmental structure (Brainport Foundation and Brainport Development) on the one hand stabilizes at a strategic level and on the other hand gives flexibility at the tactical and operational level. This leads to the transfer of knowledge and to innovation and change within the network. Using mixed methods of 1) analysis of (strategic) documents about the regional governance used and how the Brainport Eindhoven mission evolved through time; 2) semi-structured interviews with current and former Brainport Foundation board members and former Brainport Development managers; and 3) network participant observations; we reveal rich experiences from 25 years of Brainport Eindhoven. This research shows the historical overview of Brainport Eindhoven and how the triple helix parties together managed several  regional or worldwide crises. This togetherness was crucial in the development of a successful regional ecosystem. Our findings illustrate the fragile balance between stability and flexibility within the ecosystem and its governance based on processes of common sensemaking by all stakeholders. Our paper contributes to a better understanding of the development and governance of triple helix entrepreneurial ecosystems. Finally, this paper makes suggestions for future research by discussing the ambition to transform the ecosystem into a Quadruple Helix (adding the ‘community’ as a fourth pillar) organized ecosystem.https://journalsojs3.fe.up.pt/index.php/jim/article/view/1345governancequadruple helixecosysteminnovation and changecrisisinterventions
spellingShingle Mark Bronneberg
Jos Pieterse
Ger Post
Brainport Eindhoven: born from crisis - 25 years as a Triple Helix Governed Ecosystem
Journal of Innovation Management
governance
quadruple helix
ecosystem
innovation and change
crisis
interventions
title Brainport Eindhoven: born from crisis - 25 years as a Triple Helix Governed Ecosystem
title_full Brainport Eindhoven: born from crisis - 25 years as a Triple Helix Governed Ecosystem
title_fullStr Brainport Eindhoven: born from crisis - 25 years as a Triple Helix Governed Ecosystem
title_full_unstemmed Brainport Eindhoven: born from crisis - 25 years as a Triple Helix Governed Ecosystem
title_short Brainport Eindhoven: born from crisis - 25 years as a Triple Helix Governed Ecosystem
title_sort brainport eindhoven born from crisis 25 years as a triple helix governed ecosystem
topic governance
quadruple helix
ecosystem
innovation and change
crisis
interventions
url https://journalsojs3.fe.up.pt/index.php/jim/article/view/1345
work_keys_str_mv AT markbronneberg brainporteindhovenbornfromcrisis25yearsasatriplehelixgovernedecosystem
AT jospieterse brainporteindhovenbornfromcrisis25yearsasatriplehelixgovernedecosystem
AT gerpost brainporteindhovenbornfromcrisis25yearsasatriplehelixgovernedecosystem