The Triple Helix model: perspectives for technology-based companies incubated in the Scientific and Technological Park – IPARQUE of the Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense

Abstract

Innovation, technological development and knowledge are the thrusts for competitiveness across sectors, countries and companies. When Leydesdorff and Etzkowitz created the Triple Helix model, they thought of a way in which universities could take the role of industry in relation to the formation of companies, mainly through incubators, without losing their core mission, the generation of knowledge. In this context, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the role of Unesc from the Triple Helix model as an inducer of innovation and entrepreneurship for companies incubated in iParque. Methodologically, the study is characterized as a descriptive and applied research, bibliographic and a multicase study. To collect data, in-depth interviews were conducted with the managers and with three of the six incubated companies. It is noticed that the integration between government and industry, within the university, still needs to be consolidated. The union of the three institutions suffers from political regulatory issues, guidance, promotion and tax issues. Despite the imbalance between the internal and external relations that make up the TH, steps are being taken to occur the development of positive results and immediate return to society.