"Competitiveness clusters and new approaches to public research: uncertainties in the development of the Triple Helix in France"

Philippe Lefebvre (1) , Frédérique Pallez (1) , Daniel Fixari (1)

1 CGS i3 - Centre de Gestion Scientifique i3

The importance of proximity in the field of innovation has been highlighted, notably, in studies on the Triple Helix which emphasize the growing role of the third mission of the universities, namely, regional economic development. Using an empirical approach, we have attempted to gain an insight into the ways in which networks involving local economic and academic actors are created. This study focuses on France, where the State has recently promoted an aggressive policy designed to develop clusters and reform higher education and research by, amongst other things, setting up new regional bodies with a view to bringing together universities and creating centres of excellence networks at the local level. The study reveals the existence of a wide variety of configurations in the regions analyzed and, in spite of globally positive dynamics, highlights areas in which insufficiently well coordinated governmental approaches could be improved. The study also underlines a number of hitherto neglected aspects of the Triple Helix model: the model should take a less global approach to institutions, and analyses of the variety of possible links between science and innovation should be more nuanced. Lastly, the study highlights a profound transformation in the approaches taken by governmental agencies.

Mots clés: Territories; Clusters; Universities; Science and Innovation; Public policy

Domaines: Gestion et management

Philippe Lefebvre, Frédérique Pallez, Daniel Fixari. "Competitiveness clusters and new approaches to public research: uncertainties in the development of the Triple Helix in France". Colloque International Regional Competitiveness Clusters and Economic Development- HEC Management School, Mar 2009, Liège, Belgium. ⟨hal-00643153⟩