Knowledge-based regional economics: a Comparative study on the Triple Helix framework for VU University (Amsterdam) and Hokkaido University (Sapporo)

The processes of cooperation within the Triple Helix framework are analyzed in two universities (VU University, Amsterdam and Hokkaido University (HU)), starting with a description of the regions, the universities, and the institutional arrangements to promote interaction between different sectors. Based on interviews with different stakeholders, a list of items playing key roles has been extracted and used to prepare a questionnaire. This was given to researchers in both universities in order to obtain managerial implications. Our survey revealed that researchers of VU valued the collaborative leadership taken by the Amsterdam Economic Board (AEB) as a facilitator and the development of the new campus. On the other hand, researchers of HU are more focused on the need of a shared vision to create collaborative projects between different sectors. Our survey suggested that the university itself, HU, might play a more concrete role among the three sectors with its creative knowledge and coordination capabilities.