The Missing Helix Thread in Innovation Ecosystems: A Study of Co-Opetition, Coevolution and Cospecialization Between University and Civil Society

Abstract

The present wicked challenges need novel and transdisciplinary solutions. Universities play important role in the process of developing innovation, but it requires a broad cooperation of different actors, including the civil society organizations. The latter is still a challenge. Therefore, this article examines the potential, intentions, and the constraints of collaboration with nongovernmental organization (NGO) sector in the Pomeranian region. The findings indicate that the lack of behavioral intention to cooperate on the part of an NGO is a major limitation and the barriers stem primarily from the respondents’ perception of the low level of agency of their organizations.