Triple Helix Relations in Local and International Scientific Collaborations: A Case Study of Thailand, the US and China

Scientific collaboration is a driver of innovation and sustainable development, with countries globally, including those in the ASEAN region, leveraging collaborative efforts to enhance their scientific capacities. The changing structure and dynamics of the research and innovation ecosystem, shaped by collaborative efforts within and beyond their borders, have created a research gap. There is a scarcity of studies that comprehensively examine the innovation ecosystem in these nations. This article delves into the intricate dynamics of Triple Helix Relations among local sectors, universities, government entities and industries within the collaborative landscapes of Thailand, the United States and China. Using the data from 2006 to 2022, the study employs Shannon’s mutual information, refined by Loet Leydesdorff, to analyze co-authored publications across the fields. We distinguish collaborations by the nationality of collaborative partners (Thai-China vs. Thai-U.S. collaboration) and by subject area (engineering, medicine and agricultural and biological sciences). The findings support the notion that international collaborations contribute to stronger Triple Helix relationships in specific ways within local settings. When Thailand partners with the United States, we observed weaker trilateral relationships but stronger bilateral ties between the Thai government and universities, particularly in the field of Medicine. Conversely, collaborations with China revealed stronger Triple Helix relations, as Thai industry became more involved in research collaborations, notably in agricultural and biological sciences and engineering. The analysis highlights the nuanced influence of international research collaboration on Thailand’s national science and innovation system. These findings lay the groundwork for further investigation into the factors shaping these observed patterns.