Slovenian Forest Industry and Smart Specialization Strategies: Sustainable Competitive Advantage analysis in a triple helix framework

Abstract

Sustainability has long been an area studied and investigated by scholars and professionals. Recently, sustainability has become a global mission rather than be-ing just a term. Sustaining a competitive advantage over the competitors and economic development for long term success requires a great amount of cooperation between partners. Therefore, building networks and value chains where parties from different backgrounds link up and operate for economic development both at micro and macro levels become crucial.

The potential of the Slovenian forest industry, the sleet disaster experienced in 2014, and the smart specialization projects conducted by the EU all together create an envi-ronment which is full of lessons to learn, problems to identify and also opportunities waiting to be discovered. The disconnection or the lack of communication between the three spheres: companies, universities and the public actors; forming the triple helix of Slovenian forest industry, might constitute a severe problem on the way to sustainable development, especially while the country and the forest industry are experiencing such conditions. Therefore, this study investigates the Slovenian forest industry with a triple helix framework using Sense and Respond (S&R) method. The data obtained from the different actors of the industry was analysed in order to gain insights in the cooperation level of these actors. The findings are discussed under the light of qualitative investiga-tion of Slovenian smart specialization strategies, as to form a basis for the empirical research.

The results of analysis suggest there is a level cooperation between the three spheres of triple helix representing the Slovenian forest industry, with a greater potential for devel-opment in cooperation of public actors with other parties. The strategic positioning of all the parties involved in triple helix should be done accurately. Especially at the times when cooperation and mobilization are needed nationwide, for permanent prosperity, temporary sacrifices should be made.