Circular Economy in the Triple Helix of Innovation Systems

Markku Anttonen, Minna Lammi, Juri Mykkänen and Petteri Repo
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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
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

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 8, 1-14

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.

Keywords: circular economy; triple helix; innovation; sustainability; industry-government-university interaction; topic modelling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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