Institutional Interdependencies and Collaboration: A Social Network Study of Medellin’s Regional Innovation System

Abstract

This research centers on understanding the actors’ perspectives regarding the institutional framework within a Regional Innovation System (RIS), with a specific focus on analyzing the perceptions of diverse organizational entities within the quadruple helix: university, industry, government, and civil society. Utilizing data derived from semi-structured interviews conducted with participants across all sectors engaged in Medellin’s RIS, a network analysis was undertaken to assess the significance of both formal and informal institutions as perceived by the different actors. The findings reveal a highly interconnected system wherein all participants share profound interdependencies which directly manifest in collaborative practices such as joint research initiatives, public-private partnerships, and the co-development of innovation projects. These interdependencies lead to outcomes such as enhanced innovation capacity, efficient resource utilization, and accelerated knowledge transfer across the quadruple helix. Notably, the industry emerges as the central node within the network, emphasizing its pivotal role. Moreover, the study highlights the integral reliance of the system on a combination of formal and informal institutions to effectively coordinate the actions and interests of stakeholders. The implications of this study extend to the analysis of strategic considerations for RIS development and the establishment and expansion of similar systems in comparable contexts.