Systems Analysis of Actor Perceptions on Collaborations within a Philippine Regional Innovation System

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the inherently unique, multifaceted, and complex dynamics of the regional innovation system (RIS) in Western Visayas based on the actual perceptions of the actors involved in the ecosystem. Much is still left unknown about the RIS in the country, particularly the roles and functions, relationships and interconnection, and collaboration among its central stakeholders. This prompted the need to conduct an empirical analysis with the main goal of analyzing the actor perceptions on the collaboration within the WV RIS to better understand this ecosystem. Guided by a systems approach, central stakeholders involving purposively selected 20 participants from universities, government, industry, and community sectors, were identified to corroborate their perceptions, insights, and engagements regarding the innovation process of the RIS in Western Visayas. Utilizing qualitative multiple case study research design, multi-level system approach data analysis tool was employed for an empirical data collection method and analysis including Social Network Analysis to infer actor perceptions on their roles, functions, and interaction within the RIS, Iceberg Model to delve deeper down to the institutional and cultural factors for prevailing factors identified by actors as barriers or drivers of innovation performance, and Causal Loop Diagramming to analyze the causal linkages, and the reinforcing or balancing behaviors perceived by actors to influence the progress or decline of the innovation process. Findings revealed a government-academe-dominant structure, with DOST holding the highest eigenvector centrality and LGUs serving as critical brokers connecting otherwise disconnected actors, while industry and startups remain structurally peripheral. Trust, ecosystem collaboration, shared vision, visible success stories, strengthened value chain orientation, market readiness, and visionary leadership emerged as key drivers of collaboration, whereas weak commercialization, stakeholder’s receptiveness, and discontinuity of technology adoption initiatives constituted persistent barriers rooted in deeply ingrained cultural assumptions and mental models on risk aversion business culture, researcher mindset, dole-out dependency mindset, and siloed mentality of government agencies. Reinforcing loops around commercialization success and leadership coexisted with vicious cycles of dependency and silo mentality. The RIS reflects an early-to-intermediate Quadruple Helix system—formally quadrilateral but structurally imbalanced. These findings imply that strengthening industry integration, reforming promotion incentives, and institutionalizing local government support are essential for sustainable innovation diffusion. It is recommended that policymakers prioritize demand-driven, multi-stakeholder collaboration mechanisms to transform localized successes into systemic, self-sustaining regional innovation momentum.