The role and capabilities of urban-based cooperatives as intermediary organizations: A multi-case study on university partnerships

Abstract

A broader understanding of innovation intermediaries is necessary to promote a more inclusive approach in innovation policy, especially in developing countries. This research examines the performance and capabilities of three urbanbased cooperatives as intermediary organizations for a university and a fourth helix actor (communities) in the Philippines. Semi-structured interviews with staff from the cooperatives and a university’s community-engagement office show cooperatives performing intermediary roles consistent with traditional intermediaries studied by other scholars. These cooperatives are also found to be capable of learning and developing key capabilities to enhance their organization’s resources and networks. This study finds that urban-based cooperatives are a viable intermediary organization that may help enhance an inclusive innovation network or system. The findings presented have implications for the organizations involved in the study, and organizations that plan on developing collaborations similar to that in this study may adopt these implications. Furthermore, the research also provides implications for governments that seek to widen their scope of intermediaries while promoting inclusive innovation.