Volume: 2 Issue: 2
Year: 2025, Page: 97-109, Doi: https://doi.org/10.70372/jeltp.v2.i2.5
This study explores the dynamics between universities and industries within Georgia's economic landscape, particularly shaped by the political and social transformations following independence in the early 1990s. The transition from a centralized Soviet system to an autonomous educational framework has fostered collaborations aimed at innovation and economic progress. Utilizing the Triple Helix model as a theoretical framework, we emphasize the interconnectedness of academia, industry, and government. A survey of 50 top company CEOs in Georgia reveals that while university engagement scores a high mean of 3.508, indicating robust involvement from academic institutions, industry engagement lags significantly at 2.409. Notably, a negative correlation of -0.268 between university and industry engagement suggests that improvements in one do not necessarily lead to enhancements in the other, highlighting a complex relationship that challenges prevailing assumptions. This study also considers the implications of the recent halting of the EU integration process, which may pose challenges to the progress achieved in fostering university-industry relations and economic development. This study advocates for a systemic approach to policy development that integrates the needs of all three helices, focusing on strengthening the weaker components, particularly industry engagement. Recommendations include enhancing institutional support mechanisms and developing adaptive policy frameworks for flexible collaboration models. This research contributes to the Triple Helix theory by underscoring the importance of contextual adaptation and capacity building, suggesting a revised model for emerging economies like Georgia to maximize the impact of university-industry relations on innovation and economic development.
Keywords: Economic Development; Innovation; Triple Helix Model; University-Industry Relations
Bruneel, J., d’Este, P., & Salter, A. (2010). Investigating the factors that diminish the barriers to university–industry collaboration. Research policy, 39(7), 858-868.
Chkhikvishvili, G., Bukhrashvili, E., & Jijeishvili, K. (2023). MODERN CHALLENGES OF GEORGIA’S INTEGRATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION. ECONOMICS & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, 135.
Davitadze, L. (2019). Study of Practice of University–Enterprise Cooperation (Based on Technological Faculties of the Regional Universities of Georgia). EDULEARN19 Proceedings,
Guimón, J. (2013). Promoting university-industry collaboration in developing countries. World Bank, 3, 12-48.
Hajrizi, B., & Shaqiri, A. B. (2024). Mapping the evolution of university-industry collaboration: A systematic literature review from 2000 to 2022. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 11(2), 157-170.
Henton, D., & Held, K. (2013). The dynamics of Silicon Valley: Creative destruction and the evolution of the innovation habitat. Social science information, 52(4), 539-557.
Kikutadze, V., Kvirkvaia, M., Daghelishvili, N., Gujaraidze, G., & Tavkhelidze, T. (2022). The Study of Cooperation Between Higher Education Instituions and Employers in Georgia - Tbilisi.
Kikutadze, V., & Lekishvili, T. (2024). Fostering a Global Academic Community (the Case of Georgia). Digital Management to Shape the Future: Proceedings of the 3rd International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC 2023).
Leydesdorff, L., & Etzkowitz, H. (1998). The triple helix as a model for innovation studies. Science and public policy, 25(3), 195-203.
Mardaleishvili, T., Military, L. G. G. K. C., Machitadze, L. B., Teacher, G. M., Military, L.-G. G. K. C., Tskhelishvili, L. S., & Kokhreidze, L. E. The Vital Role of EU and NATO in Georgia's Geopolitical Landscape. South Caucasus and Black Sea Security Conference,
Mikhailov, A., & Puffal, D. P. (2023). University-industry Collaboration and Innovation in Low-tech Industries: the Case of Brazil. Triple Helix, 10(3), 291-320.
Osano, H. M., & Koine, P. W. (2016). Role of foreign direct investment on technology transfer and economic growth in Kenya: a case of the energy sector. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 5(1), 31.
Rossoni, A. L., & de Castilho Rossoni, R. L. (2024). DECIPHERING INTERACTION WITH COMPANIES AND MARKET ORIENTATION AMONG RESEARCHERS IN BRAZIL. Revista Alcance (Online), 31(2), 103-122.
Rossoni, A. L., de Vasconcellos, E. P. G., & de Castilho Rossoni, R. L. (2024). Barriers and facilitators of university-industry collaboration for research, development and innovation: a systematic review. Management Review Quarterly, 74(3), 1841-1877.
Shonia, D., & Trzmielak, D. M. (2022). The universities and business cooperation-a look from the caucasus countries. Marketing Instytucji Naukowych i Badawczych, 46(4), 93-114.
Slaughter, S., & Cantwell, B. (2012). Transatlantic moves to the market: The United States and the European Union. Higher education, 63, 583-606.
Tsiklashvili, N., & Poladashvili, T. (2022). A NEW APPROACH TO UNIVERSITY–ENTERPRISE COOPERATION MODEL: CASE OF GEORGIA. ECONOMIC SCIENCE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT 2022, 366.
West, J., Salter, A., Vanhaverbeke, W., & Chesbrough, H. (2014). Open innovation: The next decade. In (Vol. 43, pp. 805-811): Elsevier.
Fred Kasirye. The Evolution of University Industry Relations: Fostering Innovation and Economic Development in Georgia through the Triple Helix Model. Journal of Effective Teaching and Learning Practices. 2025; 2(2); 97-109