Revisiting the Triple Helix Innovation Framework: The Case of Abengoa

The Triple Helix (TH) model is an analysis framework in which universities act as key drivers of regional innovation development in knowledge-based societies. The TH model describes interactions between three actors—university, industry, and government. Most empirical studies have addressed the role of universities, choosing to adopt a macro perspective rather than a firm perspective. Thanks to the TH model’s theoretical potential, studies using the TH framework have greatly contributed to our understanding of the dynamics and interactions among these actors. Nevertheless, this framework still contains gaps such as determining the value and practical implications of the role of firms in the TH model. This research challenges the TH literature’s traditional emphasis on the university as the main driver of innovation by addressing the following research question: Is the university really the main driver of innovation, or does each of the three helices play this role at some stage of the innovation process? Hence, this study examines the applicability and practical value of the TH model when exploring business creation, business growth, and firms’ contribution to regional innovation development. The study also explores firms’ interactions with universities and governments at the European, national, and regional levels. Specifically, this exploratory study examines the case of Abengoa, a multinational leader in renewable energy industry, specializing in innovative, sustainable biotechnology and biochemistry solutions.