Evaluation of the Relationship Between the Individual Actors of the Quintuple Helix Model and Sustainability

Abstract

The article evaluates the relationships between the individual actors of the Quintuple Helix model and sustainability across EU countries. The model is based on the idea that innovation arises from the collaboration of five key subsystems: government, industry (economy), academia, civil society, and natural capital. Various studies have been conducted to assess the development of the EU’s sustainability goals based on the Triple Helix approach from different perspectives and from the view of the Quintuple Helix. However, we see a gap in the research in that key aspects of the success of these models in the EU have not been examined in terms of their mutual relationships. Therefore, this paper focuses on examining Quintuple Helix systems in the EU, eco-innovation, and sustainability using cluster and correlation analysis. Based on the results, we can infer that Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, and Luxembourg are among the leading EU countries in applying the Quintuple Helix model and promoting sustainability through collaborative innovation processes. The most significant contributions to sustainability within this model come primarily from ecological innovations, intellectual capital, and governance.