The role of participation and engagement as drivers of actor mobilization in innovation ecosystems: A case study of the Inova RS program

Objective: To analyze how participation and engagement drive actor mobilization in regional innovation ecosystems, focusing on the Inova RS program, a public policy in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methodology: A qualitative approach was adopted, based on content analysis (Bardin, 2016) of 42 institutional news articles published in 2023 by the State Secretariat for Innovation, Science and Technology. The Quadruple Helix model guided the identification of participation, engagement, and co-responsibility patterns. Originality/Relevance: The study applies the Quadruple Helix framework to the Brazilian context, revealing asymmetries in participation and challenges in shared governance. It highlights the distance between institutional discourse and effective collaboration. Main results: Results show fragmented participation among actors: government and academia dominate, the private sector remains market-oriented, and civil society has limited involvement. The lack of shared language around partnership underscores the need for stronger intersectoral cooperation. Contributions: The study reinforces the applicability of the Quadruple Helix to analyze engagement and provides insights for participatory governance and inclusive innovation policies.