Triple-Helix arrangements of bi- and trilateral relations can be considered
as adaptive eco-systems. During the last decade, we have further developed a
Triple-Helix indicator of synergy as reduction of uncertainty in niches that
can be shaped among three or more distributions. Reduction of uncertainty can
be generated in correlations among distributions of relations, but this
(next-order) effect can be counterbalanced by uncertainty generated in the
relations. We first explain the indicator, and then review possible results
when this indicator is applied to (i) co-author networks of academic,
industrial, and governmental authors and (ii) synergies in the distributions of
firms over geographical addresses, technological classes, and industrial-size
classes for a number of nations. Co-variation is then considered as a measure
of relationship. The balance between globalizing and localizing dynamics can be
quantified. Too much synergy locally can also be considered as lock-in.
Tendencies are different for the globalizing knowledge dynamics versus locally
retaining wealth from knowledge in industrial innovations