Foresight as a triple helix of industry, university and government relations

Purpose – This paper attempts to interpret Foresight in the light of the Triple Helix concept. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explores, in the light of the Triple Helix framework, the architecture of a Technology Foresight project which was carried out in Piemonte (Italy) in 2006, where government, firms, universities, research organizations and financial institutions were gathered to discuss on the long‐term implications of policy decisions and to develop strategic visions that could help policy making and priority setting. Findings – Drawing on its participative approach, Foresight can be seen as a way of catalyzing the multidisciplinary relationships among the three different spheres of the Triple Helix model, thus bringing them to dialogue and to share a common space for building visions on long‐term challenges. Participation of stakeholders with different backgrounds, dynamics of overlapping opinions, emergence of hybrid organizations and exchange of formal roles are some of the elements characterizing a Foresight exercise that reflect a Triple Helix configuration. Originality/value – The value of the paper is in exploring a Foresight exercise through the lenses of the Triple Helix model.