Martin Wallin, Chalmers University of Technology

Abstract/Key issues: Collaborative governance is usually considered to be a Grimm's fairytale. With globalization, free trade and technology that changes at an ever increasing pace, taming the triple helix is a key to constructing competitive advantage. The ability to move three headstrong and independent horses in vaguely the same direction allows innovation, research and commercialization to prosper. Finding the common ground and mutual benefit allows fairy tales to come true. (Mike Darch)

The presentation is derived from a case study* on the evolution of Tucson, Arizona’s decade-old, metropolitan-wide high tech collaborative network, the Greater Tucson Strategic Partnership for Economic Development (GTSPED), and its adaptation to a series of potentially fatal internal and external challenges and opportunities. Tucson’s all-stakeholder approach represents one of the most successful regional alignments of Porter’s classic triple helix. Harmonizing the agendas of industry, university/research and government was initially more visceral than intentional, but the effectiveness of this interaction and the sophistication of the results grew over time. There are lessons that can be adapted to other regional settings and collaborative scenarios; join us to find out more. (Brian C. Catts)

*Funded by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, 2003.

Tucson’s GTSPED/SATC – An All-Stakeholder Collaborative Model for the Regional Support and Development of High Tech Enterprise (or, How Tucson Tamed the Triple Helix without Even Realizing It)