Triple, Quadruple, and Higher-Order Helices: Historical Phenomena and (Neo-)Evolutionary Models

Carayannis and Campbell (2009; 2010) have argued for using quadruple and quintuple helices as models encompassing and generalizing triple-helix dynamics. In the meantime, quadruple and quintuple helices have been adopted by the European Committee for the Regions and the European Commission as metaphors for further strategy development such as in EU-programs in Smart Specialization, Plan S, Open Innovation 2.0, etc. Here we argue that the transition from a double helix to a triple helix can change the dynamic from a trajectory to a regime. However, next-order transitions (e.g., to quadruple, quintuple, or n-tuple helices) can be decomposed and recombined into interacting Triple Helices. For example, in the case of four helices A, B, C, and D, one can distinguish ABC, ABD, ACD, and BCD; each triplet can generate synergy. The triple-helix synergy indicator can thus be elaborated for more than three dimensions. However, whether innovation systems are national, regional, sectorial, triple-helix, quadruple-helix, etc., can inform policies with evidence if one proceeds to measurement. A variety of perspectives can be used to interpret the data. Software for testing perspectives will be introduced.