A triple Helix Approach to the Future Innovation Flagship of Europe: Exploring the Strategic Deployment of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology

This paper explores the strategic context of the implementation of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The analytical framework is based on a comparative study of National Innovation Systems (NIS) and the particular Triple Helix of University-Government-Industry relationship in the European Union and its closer competitors, Japan and the United States. Main results suggest that the innovation systems in this study are in a transition stage at different degrees of change. Such transitions, broadly motivated by the challenge of globalization and sustainable development, are transforming the profile of the triple helix relationships. This transformation is bringing the American and the Japanese innovation system to an unprecedented level of commonality and the EU to a yet uncertain stage of transition characterized by the conflict between national and supranational priorities, and the different innovation capabilities of its Member States. The paper argues that in such conditions, the current strategy to deploy the EIT is not appropriated and an alternative strategy is proposed.