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Knowledge Triangle: The Right Concept to Align Universities Missions?
Despite long-lasting discussions about Knowledge Triangle and Triple Helix universities missions have not changed much. Discussions about these concepts remain at aggregate level resulting in several approaches for measuring universities performance but are clearly less developed in terms of management concepts and practical applicability. Accordingly policy measures target at the sympthoms and might show some initial impact but it is doubtful if they achieve sustainable impact if not implemented at the operational level, e.g., targeting the cause. Eventually, it appears that universities are following the Knowledge Triangle thinking for a while already whereas debates have always stressed the importance of transferring knowledge and technology toward achieving impact, especially economic impact, but less attention as paid to the transfer of competences from research to teaching which is among the main functions of universities. This is only one observation from Knowledge Triangle and Triple Helix thinking. Eventually, it appears that both approaches are suitable analytical frameworks for assessing the actual missions and position of universities but not suitable for designing and implementing institutional strategies and governance models. Instead, the perception should be changed toward “Knowledge for the Triangle” which requires a dedicated balanced scorecard for institutional governance and performance boost.