Triple helix model in practice: a case study of collaboration in university outreach for innovation development in local farming community enterprise in the northeast region of thailand

Abstract

This research project is an empirical case study from Thailand. The research aims to provide empirical evidence of how innovation development in a local farming community enterprise is promoted through knowledge exchange collaboration by the local university and public authorities. This form of tri-lateral partnership is known as the triple helix model of collaboration. The empirical case setting was a single-site case study bounded by two investigative propositions, including knowledge networks and innovative entrepreneurship. The selected case was an organic rice farming community from the Northeast region of Thailand. The research conduct was a qualitative grounded theory approach using focus group interview and documentary analysis for the research data collection. The study discovered that public supports engaged with the collaboration in the form of financial support scheme that shaped the delivery of the university outreach. The delivered university outreach then helped promote knowledge-based entrepreneurship development in the studied organic rice farming community enterprise. The university's essential contribution to the collaboration was required knowledge for innovation development for the business of the enterprise. The vital knowledge transferred was used to promote innovation in the enterprise, especially its production and marketing advancement. However, the study also found critical challenges requiring further development. These challenges were the lack of local farming technology creation, financial management, and skills improvement involving these challenging determinants.