Is the Triple Helix Model Suitable to Approach Low Density Regions Competitiveness? Insights from a Portuguese Case Study

This research aims to analyse the innovative performance of a Portuguese region (NUT III Beira Interior Sul) throughout the application of the Triple Helix (TH) approach, examining its capacity to describe and explain the innovative dynamics of the low density regions as engine of its competitiveness. The TH model seems to be a useful analytical tool to approach and organise public policy and actors’ strategy oriented to shape and nurture emerging and fragile innovation systems, namely to identify and characterize regional actors and networks, its performance and links with national and international innovation support organisations and firms, the emerging interface institutions, institutional framework, as well as policy implications to embed the regional competitiveness within government-academia-industry partnerships.