Advancing the Multiple Helix Approach in Local and Regional Development
Before the Christmas holidays, the SIRR partnership successfully organised two digital strategy workshops with the Pilot Hubs under the leadership of the University of Vechta. Strategy workshops are a powerful tool for maximizing the impact of the applied research taking place in SIRR. By turning insights from the second survey of the hubs (included stakeholder views) into actionable strategies, fostering collaboration among the pilot hubs, and aligning our overall project goals, the workshops help to ensure that research findings drive meaningful change and innovation within the SIRR project.
Figure 1: Reflection framework for the strategy workshops
Source: SIRR’s own elaboration
Each workshop began with a common reflection on the effects and usefulness of the research support and knowledge co-creation in the SIRR projects. The following questions helped project participants to reach positive and motivating conclusions:
What new insights or perspectives has the research and support done in SIRR brought to your hub so far?
The research support activities (Work Package 3 in SIRR) have provided pilot hubs with valuable insights into their configurations, goals, and stakeholder interactions. These activities highlighted both the differences between hubs and common challenges in strategic development. The hubs have recognized the importance of enhancing their structures and practices, with knowledge partners playing a crucial role in validating assumptions. Additionally, stakeholder mapping has increased awareness of the regional innovation ecosystem and improved understanding of Multiple Helix configurations.
Have you changed or adapted anything based on the support and insights provided by SIRR knowledge partners? (structures, process, ideas …)
The SIRR partnership recognized its collective expertise and the value of mutual inspiration, leveraging geographic and organizational differences for mutual learning and best practice exchange. Improved communication strategies sensitive to stakeholder diversity have led to new collaboration formats and arenas. Significant changes include a focus on international projects, digital seminars, and continuous stakeholder mapping. Reflective frameworks provided by SIRR have enhanced internal discussions and strategic planning within the hubs.
Figure 2: The UNITE TOWS Analysis – Building on the SWOT Analysis
Source: First published in 1965 by 3x colleagues from the Stanford Research Institute. Designed by Digital Leadership AG and modified by the SIRR (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Anyhow, a major part of the strategy workshops was dedicated to identifying key elements of a strategy that could maximize and sustain relevant outcomes for the main SIRR objective pursued by the hubs: deepening the Multiple-Helix approach to local and regional development. This objective and its desired outcomes were initially outlined by the first survey of the hubs, which explored expectations, benefits, and barriers to the Multiple-Helix approach.
Building on this, the second survey of the Pilot Hubs and corresponding Hub-Reports allowed the SIRR partnership to preliminarily diagnose and analyse the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks for the hubs as they work towards a stronger Multiple-Helix configuration and practice. In preparation for the strategy workshop, the Hubs were asked to pre-fill the SWOT analysis with key information from the previous surveys and all other potential sources of information. During the workshop, the Hubs discussed and co-created a so-called TOWS matrix, that combines the SWOT results to create offensive, adaptive, defensive and survival strategies. They also brainstormed ideas and tasks for each strategy type and then tried to prioritise these tasks into short-term, mid-term, and long-term actions to ensure effective implementation. The following figure shows how the TOWS-matrix converts the SWOT findings into actionable strategies and tasks.
Figure 3: The TOWS-matrix in the workshop framework
Source: SIRR’s own elaboration
Strengths - Some Hubs benefit from strong financial resources due to international project involvement and a high success rate in funding. Others can learn from this. Their teams are highly committed and motivated, sometimes supported by elected representatives, and employ innovative, multi-helix thinking. The existing strong partnerships in their areas of remit with local organisations, government agencies, and academic institutions enhance a collaborative approach to local development and drive change.
Opportunities - There is significant civic engagement with stakeholders showing curiosity and collaboration in many Pilot Hubs. The rural and coastal context offers unique opportunities through access to natural resources and traditional knowledge. Advancements in digital solutions provide new ways to enhance stakeholder engagement, and a growing network of regional stakeholders seems to be eager to contribute.
Weaknesses – Multiple communication challenges exist, like for example successfully engaging youth in local development. Limited time for professional and target group friendly communication as well as necessary training are also a concern. The role of academia and environmental organizations within the hubs is generally weaker. Political instability and the lack of long-term commitments to the functioning of the Hubs curb dynamic development.
Threats - The organisation face challenges in applying a holistic strategy due to diverse target groups. Political and economic instability, including potential budget cuts, pose risks. Visibility and communication issues make it difficult to reach the target audience, which tend to not understand what the Hubs activities are about.
Looking ahead, the Pilot Hubs will continue their work, taking these learnings and reflections into their next steps. The Knowledge partners will continue to support analyses and include the outcome in strategies and action plans still to be developed over the coming years. An accurate analysis is of great importance in order to map out the so-called pathways towards a multiple-helix approach to local development.