IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jknowl/v8y2017i1d10.1007_s13132-015-0294-z.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

TRANS-DISCIPLINARITY AND GROWTH: Nature and Characteristics of Trans-disciplinary Training Programs on the Human-Environment Interphase

Author

Listed:
  • Elias Carayannis

    (George Washington University)

  • Luc Hens

    (Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO))

  • Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-Stamati

    (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens)

Abstract

Smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth is the sine qua non for developed democracies today. At the heart of the growth engines of technology innovation and entrepreneurship fed by the fuel of creativity and invention lies trans-disciplinarity (TD) and beyond-the-box thinking (TB2) not just outside-the-box thinking. TD and TB2 flourish at the nexus of theories, policies, politics, and practices when the encompassing socio-political, socio-technical, and socio-economic ecosystem is endowed with a quadruple and quintuple innovation helix structure (Q2IH) organically and flexibly linking government, university, industry, and civil society within an overarching environmental framework. The increasing demand for trans-disciplinary training programs on the human system-environment interphase dovetail in considerations, including the need for addressing complex problems, in a way which transcends the collection of information from a multitude of disciplines and moving towards integrated, more holistic ways of understanding. This paper analyzes core characteristics of university programs adopting this trans-disciplinary approach. They differ from technical expertise programs in their integrated, innovative, and solution-targeted character in which contributions by and dialogues with stakeholders are essential. As trans-disciplinary approaches reach maturity, it becomes increasingly indicated organizing them as 4-year master degrees, entailing a 2-year multidisciplinary training during the bachelor years, completed with a 2-year training targeted towards integration of data and trans-disciplinary practice. In this latter context, attention for uncertainty, tacit knowledge, inspiring case studies, integrated training methods, and thesis-related practice surface more and more as important elements of the program content. In spite of their intellectual attraction and logical necessity, trans-disciplinary approaches also face weaknesses including their non-mainstream scientific character, the lack of methods allowing the integration of non-homogeneous data, the scientifically premature character of tacit knowledge, and the value-loaded aspect of the issues at stake. The extent to which trans-disciplinary programs will succeed overcoming these limitations will to a large extent determine their future.

Suggested Citation

  • Elias Carayannis & Luc Hens & Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-Stamati, 2017. "TRANS-DISCIPLINARITY AND GROWTH: Nature and Characteristics of Trans-disciplinary Training Programs on the Human-Environment Interphase," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 8(1), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s13132-015-0294-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-015-0294-z
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13132-015-0294-z
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s13132-015-0294-z?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. World Commission on Environment and Development,, 1987. "Our Common Future," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192820808.
    2. Jahn, Thomas & Bergmann, Matthias & Keil, Florian, 2012. "Transdisciplinarity: Between mainstreaming and marginalization," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1-10.
    3. Elias Carayannis & Caroline Sipp, 2010. "Why, When, and How are Real Options used in Strategic Technology Venturing?," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 1(2), pages 70-85, June.
    4. Elias G. Carayannis & David F.J. Campbell, 2010. "Triple Helix, Quadruple Helix and Quintuple Helix and How Do Knowledge, Innovation and the Environment Relate To Each Other? : A Proposed Framework for a Trans-disciplinary Analysis of Sustainable Dev," International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development (IJSESD), IGI Global, vol. 1(1), pages 41-69, January.
    5. Elias Carayannis & Evangelos Grigoroudis & Stavros Sindakis & Christian Walter, 2014. "Business Model Innovation as Antecedent of Sustainable Enterprise Excellence and Resilience," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 5(3), pages 440-463, September.
    6. Loet Leydesdorff, 2012. "The Triple Helix, Quadruple Helix, …, and an N-Tuple of Helices: Explanatory Models for Analyzing the Knowledge-Based Economy?," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 3(1), pages 25-35, March.
    7. Hausmann, Ricardo & Rodrik, Dani, 2003. "Economic development as self-discovery," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(2), pages 603-633, December.
    8. Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-Stamati & Ioannis Matiatos & Chrysanthi Kotampasi & Panagiotis Stamatis & Annie Sasco & Evaggelia Protopapa & Luc Hens, 2015. "Training in environmental health necessitates tacit knowledge," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 299-314, April.
    9. Elias Carayannis & Ruslan Rakhmatullin, 2014. "The Quadruple/Quintuple Innovation Helixes and Smart Specialisation Strategies for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in Europe and Beyond," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 5(2), pages 212-239, June.
    10. Elias G. Carayannis & Aris Kaloudis & Åge Mariussen (ed.), 2008. "Diversity in the Knowledge Economy and Society," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 12673.
    11. Óscar Afonso & Sara Monteiro & Maria Thompson, 2010. "A Growth Model for the Quadruple Helix Innovation Theory," FEP Working Papers 370, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    12. Tiiu Paas & Helen Poltimäe, 2010. "A Comparative Analysis Of National Innovation Performance: The Baltic States In The Eu Context," University of Tartu - Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Working Paper Series 78, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Tartu (Estonia).
    13. Bryan Campbell, 2010. "Environment And Sustainable Development," CIRANO Papers 2010n-04speciala, CIRANO.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Elias G. Carayannis & David F. J. Campbell, 2021. "Democracy of Climate and Climate for Democracy: the Evolution of Quadruple and Quintuple Helix Innovation Systems," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 12(4), pages 2050-2082, December.
    2. Elias G. Carayannis & David F. J. Campbell & Evangelos Grigoroudis, 2022. "Helix Trilogy: the Triple, Quadruple, and Quintuple Innovation Helices from a Theory, Policy, and Practice Set of Perspectives," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(3), pages 2272-2301, September.
    3. Dina A. M. Miragaia & João J. M. Ferreira & Cédric T. Vieira, 2024. "Efficiency of Non-profit Organisations: a DEA Analysis in Support of Strategic Decision-Making," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 3239-3265, March.
    4. Sean Kruger & Adriana Aletta Steyn, 2020. "Enhancing technology transfer through entrepreneurial development: practices from innovation spaces," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(6), pages 1655-1689, December.
    5. Elias G. Carayannis & Klitos Christodoulou & Panayiotis Christodoulou & Savvas A. Chatzichristofis & Zinon Zinonos, 2022. "Known Unknowns in an Era of Technological and Viral Disruptions—Implications for Theory, Policy, and Practice," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(1), pages 587-610, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Elias Carayannis & Evangelos Grigoroudis, 2016. "Quadruple Innovation Helix and Smart Specialization: Knowledge Production and National Competitiveness," Foresight and STI Governance (Foresight-Russia till No. 3/2015), National Research University Higher School of Economics, vol. 10(1), pages 31-42.
    2. Zafeirios Thomakis & Irene Daskalopoulou, 2022. "Entrepreneurial Views and Rural Entrepreneurial Potential: Evidence from Greece," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(2), pages 1611-1634, June.
    3. Yong Kyu Lew & Jeong‐Yang Park, 2021. "The evolution of N‐helix of the regional innovation system: Implications for sustainability," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(2), pages 453-464, March.
    4. Elias G. Carayannis & Evangelos Grigoroudis & Dimitra Stamati, 2017. "Re-visiting BMI as an Enabler of Strategic Intent and Organizational Resilience, Robustness, and Remunerativeness," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 8(2), pages 407-436, June.
    5. Markus Erbach, 2016. "Facilitating Targeted Open Innovation by Applying Pragmatic Identity Matching," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 7(1), pages 104-125, March.
    6. Marcin Baron, 2021. "Open Innovation Capacity of the Polish Universities," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 12(1), pages 73-95, March.
    7. Elias G. Carayannis & Dirk Meissner & Anastasia Edelkina, 2017. "Targeted innovation policy and practice intelligence (TIP2E): concepts and implications for theory, policy and practice," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 42(3), pages 460-484, June.
    8. Durán-Romero, Gemma & López, Ana M. & Beliaeva, Tatiana & Ferasso, Marcos & Garonne, Christophe & Jones, Paul, 2020. "Bridging the gap between circular economy and climate change mitigation policies through eco-innovations and Quintuple Helix Model," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    9. Xiaoran Zheng & Yuzhuo Cai, 2022. "Transforming Innovation Systems into Innovation Ecosystems: The Role of Public Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-26, June.
    10. Elias G. Carayannis & David F. J. Campbell, 2021. "Democracy of Climate and Climate for Democracy: the Evolution of Quadruple and Quintuple Helix Innovation Systems," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 12(4), pages 2050-2082, December.
    11. Elias G. Carayannis & Luca Dezi & Gianluca Gregori & Ernesto Calo, 2022. "Smart Environments and Techno-centric and Human-Centric Innovations for Industry and Society 5.0: A Quintuple Helix Innovation System View Towards Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive Solutions," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(2), pages 926-955, June.
    12. Loet Leydesdorff & Han Woo Park & Balazs Lengyel, 2014. "A routine for measuring synergy in university–industry–government relations: mutual information as a Triple-Helix and Quadruple-Helix indicator," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 99(1), pages 27-35, April.
    13. Farshad Momeni & Ali Arab Mazar Yazdi & Seyed Mohammad Sajjad Najafi, 2019. "Changing economic systems and institutional dimensions of the Triple Helix model," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, December.
    14. Martin Jaekel & Arto Wallin & Minna Isomursu, 2015. "Guiding Networked Innovation Projects Towards Commercial Success—a Case Study of an EU Innovation Programme with Implications for Targeted Open Innovation," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 6(3), pages 625-639, September.
    15. Noriko Yoda & Kenichi Kuwashima, 2020. "Triple Helix of University–Industry–Government Relations in Japan: Transitions of Collaborations and Interactions," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 11(3), pages 1120-1144, September.
    16. Björn Sautter, 2021. "Shaping Digital Ecosystems for Sustainable Production: Assessing the Policy Impact of the 2030 Vision for Industrie 4.0," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-16, November.
    17. Marvello Yang & Norizan Jaafar & Abdullah Al Mamun & Anas A. Salameh & Noorshella Che Nawi, 2022. "Modelling the significance of strategic orientation for competitive advantage and economic sustainability: the use of hybrid SEM–neural network analysis," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-28, December.
    18. Malin Lindberg & Monica Lindgren & Johann Packendorff, 2014. "Quadruple Helix as a Way to Bridge the Gender Gap in Entrepreneurship: The Case of an Innovation System Project in the Baltic Sea Region," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 5(1), pages 94-113, March.
    19. Perelló, Josep & Klimczuk, Andrzej & Land-Zandstra, Anne & Vohland, Katrin & Wagenknecht, Katherin & Narraway, Claire & Lemmens, Rob & Ponti, Marisa, 2021. "The Recent Past and Possible Futures of Citizen Science: Final Remarks," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, pages 517-529.
    20. Elias G. Carayannis & David F. J. Campbell & Evangelos Grigoroudis, 2022. "Helix Trilogy: the Triple, Quadruple, and Quintuple Innovation Helices from a Theory, Policy, and Practice Set of Perspectives," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(3), pages 2272-2301, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s13132-015-0294-z. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.