in the hybrid spaces. In China’s government-pulled triple helix model (Zhou, 2008),
government plays a dominant role and state corporate still be the most important part
in the economic system. It definitely needs a public participation triple helix as
compensation for the green growth objectives.
“European strategy for smart green growth and jobs [...] will create 10 million new
jobs by 2020. Green growth increasingly needs public participation.” (Dullien and
Schwarzer, 2009) In a triple helix with public-university-government interaction as a
complement to the original innovation triple helix model, the public was selected to be
one sphere, replacing the industry, for in some way there is an interest conflict between
industry and public. The public needs a clean natural environment, while industry
chases the profit maximum through producing and processing resources.
The birth of the environmental movement, based on principles of sustainability, may
be traced to the publication of Silent Spring (Carson, 1962) written by Rachel Carson.
In the landmark work that inspired a social, political and intellectual movement, Carson
depicted the conflict between human power and the natural environment. She argued
that development of the economy and society should not cause the destruction of nature
but rather could be made compatible with it. Awareness that rethinking production
processes to take environmental requirements into account can spur innovation and
enhance industrial efficiency has increased since systematic evidence began to taken
seriously during the 1980s.
In the triple helix innovation model, university-industry-government work together
to achieve regional or national innovation objectives, based on a relationship of mutual
benefit among them. When environment or social issues arise, the public starts to play a
distinct role, directed toward redressing the negative consequences of S&T development
or innovation, forming a triple helix for sustainability with government and university.
In Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province of China, a pilot ratings scheme beginning in June
1999 was applied to 91 firms. One year after public disclosure of the ratings, the numbers
of firms rated as “superior performers” doubled from 31 to 62 percent. The province then
took the decision to promote province-wide implementation of the programme[1].
To fulfil green growth not only needs university-industry-government triple helix for
innovation, but also university-public-government for sustainable development.