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Circular Economy in the Triple Helix of Innovation Systems

Author

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  • Markku Anttonen

    (Consumer Society Research Centre, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Minna Lammi

    (Consumer Society Research Centre, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
    Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK)

  • Juri Mykkänen

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Petteri Repo

    (Consumer Society Research Centre, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland)

Abstract

The Triple Helix concept of innovation systems holds that consensus space among industry, government and university is required to bring together their competences to achieve enhanced economic and social development on a systemic scale. In line with this argument, this article analyses empirically how the concept of circular economy is conceived in the institutional spheres of “industry”, “government” and “university”. Innovation systems are constantly being reconstructed through knowledge production and communication, which is reflected in how concepts develop in the different spheres. By applying natural language processing tools to key contributions from each of the three spheres (the “Triple Helix”), it is shown that, although institutional backgrounds do contribute to differing conceptualizations of circular economy, there is a substantial but limited conceptual consensus space, which, according to the Triple Helix, should open new opportunities for innovations. The consensus space shared across the three spheres focuses on materials and products and sees circular economy as a way to create new resources, businesses and products from waste. The industry sphere highlights business opportunities on global scale, which are also evident in the government sphere. The government sphere connects circular economy to waste-related innovation policies targeted at industrial renewal, economic growth, investments and jobs. The university sphere, in turn, focuses on production and environmental issues, waste and knowledge, and is rather distinct from the two other spheres. The importance of the differing conceptions of circular economy is based on the logic of Triple Helix systems. Accordingly, sufficient consensus between the Triple Helix spheres can advance the application of the concept of circular economy beyond the individual spheres to achieve systemic changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Markku Anttonen & Minna Lammi & Juri Mykkänen & Petteri Repo, 2018. "Circular Economy in the Triple Helix of Innovation Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:8:p:2646-:d:160363
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Xintian Wang & Hai Wang, 2019. "A Study on Sustaining Corporate Innovation with E-Commerce in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-16, November.
    5. Chunyan Zhou & Henry Etzkowitz, 2021. "Triple Helix Twins: A Framework for Achieving Innovation and UN Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Milica Jovanović & Gordana Savić & Yuzhuo Cai & Maja Levi-Jakšić, 2022. "Towards a Triple Helix based efficiency index of innovation systems," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(5), pages 2577-2609, May.
    7. Rohit Agrawal & Vishal A. Wankhede & Anil Kumar & Sunil Luthra & Abhijit Majumdar & Yigit Kazancoglu, 2022. "An Exploratory State-of-the-Art Review of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Circular Economy using Structural Topic Modeling," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 609-626, December.
    8. Antreas Kantaros & Nikolaos Laskaris & Dimitrios Piromalis & Theodore Ganetsos, 2021. "Manufacturing Zero-Waste COVID-19 Personal Protection Equipment: a Case Study of Utilizing 3D Printing While Employing Waste Material Recycling," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(3), pages 851-869, November.
    9. María-Jesús Luengo-Valderrey & Julián Pando-García & Iñaki Periáñez-Cañadillas & Amparo Cervera-Taulet, 2020. "Analysis of the Impact of the Triple Helix on Sustainable Innovation Targets in Spanish Technology Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-20, April.

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