TRIPLE HELIX noms.pmd

P-036Research and Innovation private-public partnerships. Evaluation andcomparison of some European experiencesM. Paloma Sánchez, Oihana Basilio, Autonous University of Madrid, SpainIntroductionThe importance of networking for innovation is now widely recognized and governments have developed new instruments toboost dynamic interactions among the different institutional spheres. Based on the Triple Helix framework (Etzkowitz andLeydesdorff 2000) this paper analyses a Regional Policy instrument (long-term funding of Research Networks) developed by theMadrid Regional Government (MRG) in Spain to enhance innovation by fostering cooperation between different research groupsand industry. The aim of this assessment is to detect the main strengths and weaknesses of the policy developed by the MRGand to make some suggestions for future improvements. Three additional cooperative experiences are also briefly analysed andcompared with the MRG instrument. Two of them involve two Scandinavian countries, the Oslo/Akershus region in Norway andthe VINNVÄXT Programme in Sweden, and the third is a recently created Autonomous University of Madrid-Accenture Chair inEconomy and Management of Innovation. The comparison aims to identify valuable lessons and cross-country learning in termsof Triple Helix cooperation.State of the art about the topicEven though firms are the main agents of innovation, they depend on the knowledge and skills accumulated in their surroundinginstitutions (Metcalfe 1995: 42) and, because of this, innovation policy needs to encompass a wider context and consider thespecificities of the innovation system in which firms are embedded. The relation between policies and their cultural and historicalcontext is reciprocal: political, cultural and economic forces all influencethe region (Cooke et al. 1997: 480), and the region and its situation influence policy frameworks (Metcalfe 1995: 25). Hence, itis essential to consider the multiple and multifaceted relations between these variables.Research focusThe paper analyses: a) the results obtained by the Research and Development Action Programme (RDAP) set up by the Madridgovernment, in terms of improving Triple Helix interactions in the region, b) the possibilities for cross-country learning and c) thespecific experience of a public-private partnership to enhance teaching and research cooperation, between the University and amultinational company. The analysis has focused on the widercontextual characteristics that have influenced the effects of the different innovation policiesin achieving collaboration. In other words, we have concentrated on the differences foundacross countries (in terms of how effective the selected policies are and the relation between them and their wider political,cultural and historical context) with the intention of searchingout suggestions to overcome the weaknesses found in the RDAP.MethodologyA pilot four-case study, based on documentary analysis and interviews to selected stakeholders, and a survey to all fundedResearch Networks allow us to highlight on-going results as well as the main shortcomings of the RDAP in the Madrid region.In contrast to the analysis of the Madrid case, which has been based on a "first hand" evaluation, the analysis of the Oslo/Akershus region (Paalshaugen 2009) and the VINNVÄXT programme (Cooke et al. 2008) have been mainly based on documentaryanalysis from secondary sources and complemented with a semi-structured interview with a researcher closely related to eachcase. The analysis of the experience with the Chair is based oninterviews with the main partners.FindingsOur analysis has shown both the positive aspects of the RDAP and the areas where there is room for improvement in futurepublic Programmes. Some clearly positive results have been achieved, for example increasing the interaction between ResearchGroups and their capacity to attract more qualified human capital, attracting additional external funding and accelerating theirinternationalization process. However, in terms of the Triple Helix framework some of the results are not positive. For example,a) one of the helixes (companies) is almost out of the picture, and b) the Networks seldom use some of the interface institutionscreated by the Administration. The Chair UAM-Accenture case sheds some light on how interaction with companies could bemade more productive.The launching of the RDAP reflects the importance that the MRG gives to strengthening university-industry relations, given thepossible positive impact these may have on the region's competitiveness and economic growth.Contributions and implicationsOur analysis proves that enforcement measures should be implemented together with the Programme, if effective Triple Helixcollaboration is to take place. In this respect, the analysis of the Oslo/Akershus region in Norway and the VINNVÄXT Programmein Sweden has provided some valuable insights and cross-country learning.We have considered the wider contextual characteristics that have had an influence on the effects of innovation policies inachieving collaboration. Examples of these features are the greater culture of dialogue, the strong tradition of cooperationMadrid, October 20, 21 & 22 - 2010299