The Quadruple helix partnerships for enterprise eco-innovation in Italian macro-regions under the lens of smart specialization strategy

This chapter explores whether and to what extent the Quadruple Helix works differently and supports firms in their quest for sustainable growth, which is one of the main targets of the Smart Specialization Strategy (S3). We examine the influence of the institutional support provided by public institutions (government and agencies), universities, and civil society on Italian SMEs in achieving eco-innovation, highlighting the differences between the more developed center–north and the less developed south. Data were drawn from two surveys conducted by the Italian Union of Chambers of Commerce in 2018–2019 on a sample of Italian manufacturing firms with at least five employees. The marginal effects of the binary probit regression were used. Our results indicate that whereas the collaboration with public institutions is crucial for investing in eco-innovation for firms located in southern Italy, collaborations with universities and civil society are more effective in the north. These results provide insights into decision-making for the implementation of the S3, as the new environmental paradigm cannot ignore the importance of simultaneous forms of collaboration and geographical factors in the achievement of sustainable growth.