On Smart Cities and Triple-Helix Intermediaries: A Critical-Realist Perspective
I conducted an integrative literature review by utilizing theoretical and methodological elements of critical realism (i.e., the distinction between ontology and epistemology) to evaluate the significance of triple-helix intermediaries. This review involved examining all published research on smart...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Smart Cities |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-6511/8/3/74 |
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| author | Dimos Chatzinikolaou |
| author_facet | Dimos Chatzinikolaou |
| author_sort | Dimos Chatzinikolaou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | I conducted an integrative literature review by utilizing theoretical and methodological elements of critical realism (i.e., the distinction between ontology and epistemology) to evaluate the significance of triple-helix intermediaries. This review involved examining all published research on smart cities in “elite” ABS (Chartered Association of Business Schools) journals (4, 4*). My findings indicate that the philosophical foundations of the examined literature are predominantly grounded on “positivism”, “postmodernism”, “interpretivism”, and “pragmatism”, without delving into the ontological reinforcement of capitalist institutions through innovation creation and diffusion—a central concern of critical realism. I argue that this oversight stems from the prevailing “paradigm” within these “elite” journals, which often excludes historical and critical perspectives. In response, I propose a reoriented intermediary, the Triple-Helix Business Clinic, grounded in critical-realist assumptions. This new theoretical framework can guide practical policy development aimed at reinforcing business innovation and driving broader socioeconomic progress. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-968db659f1f941488d179fc0e2b79d4f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2624-6511 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Smart Cities |
| spelling | doaj-art-968db659f1f941488d179fc0e2b79d4f2025-08-20T03:29:44ZengMDPI AGSmart Cities2624-65112025-04-01837410.3390/smartcities8030074On Smart Cities and Triple-Helix Intermediaries: A Critical-Realist PerspectiveDimos Chatzinikolaou0Department of Economics, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini, GreeceI conducted an integrative literature review by utilizing theoretical and methodological elements of critical realism (i.e., the distinction between ontology and epistemology) to evaluate the significance of triple-helix intermediaries. This review involved examining all published research on smart cities in “elite” ABS (Chartered Association of Business Schools) journals (4, 4*). My findings indicate that the philosophical foundations of the examined literature are predominantly grounded on “positivism”, “postmodernism”, “interpretivism”, and “pragmatism”, without delving into the ontological reinforcement of capitalist institutions through innovation creation and diffusion—a central concern of critical realism. I argue that this oversight stems from the prevailing “paradigm” within these “elite” journals, which often excludes historical and critical perspectives. In response, I propose a reoriented intermediary, the Triple-Helix Business Clinic, grounded in critical-realist assumptions. This new theoretical framework can guide practical policy development aimed at reinforcing business innovation and driving broader socioeconomic progress.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-6511/8/3/74triple helixpolicy intermediariessmart citiescritical realismbusiness innovationlocal development |
| spellingShingle | Dimos Chatzinikolaou On Smart Cities and Triple-Helix Intermediaries: A Critical-Realist Perspective Smart Cities triple helix policy intermediaries smart cities critical realism business innovation local development |
| title | On Smart Cities and Triple-Helix Intermediaries: A Critical-Realist Perspective |
| title_full | On Smart Cities and Triple-Helix Intermediaries: A Critical-Realist Perspective |
| title_fullStr | On Smart Cities and Triple-Helix Intermediaries: A Critical-Realist Perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | On Smart Cities and Triple-Helix Intermediaries: A Critical-Realist Perspective |
| title_short | On Smart Cities and Triple-Helix Intermediaries: A Critical-Realist Perspective |
| title_sort | on smart cities and triple helix intermediaries a critical realist perspective |
| topic | triple helix policy intermediaries smart cities critical realism business innovation local development |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-6511/8/3/74 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dimoschatzinikolaou onsmartcitiesandtriplehelixintermediariesacriticalrealistperspective |