Title: 'Östgöta Textile' an innovative network in a triple helix logic - towards peer incubating

Authors: Johanna Nählinder; Elin Wihlborg

Addresses: Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, SE 58183 Linkoping, Sweden ' Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, SE 58183 Linkoping, Sweden

Abstract: This paper tells the story of a group of small, creative firms collaborating in a regional network and forming an association to promote growth. The network is a triple helix context and supports the firms to growth through what we call a peer-incubating process. This article builds on an action-research project supporting the development of the association and the network 'Östgöta Textile'. The analysis of the Ostgota Textile network shows that the local and low-tech firms have received critical support from the academic and governmental networks during the formative process. The main conclusion and implication is that by supporting a triple helix network, even in other sectors than traditional high tech industries, entrepreneurial activities and growth can lead to growth in small firms.

Keywords: textile industry; creative firms; innovative networks; regional development; action research; triple helix networks; entrepreneurship; regional networks; case study; small firms; government networks; academic networks; firm growth; small businesses.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2014.060899

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2014 Vol.21 No.3, pp.391 - 405

Published online: 07 Jun 2014 *

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