Local Economic Development And Triple Helix: Lesson Learned From Role of Universities In Higher Education Town of Jatinangor, West Java, Indonesia

摘要

University as one of the Local Economic Decelopment (LED) agents have ample space for local community to formulate a specific form of LED, that is elaborated from development from below (bottom-up) and from above (top down). This article describes the terms of role universities play in LED program, forms and mechanisms of interaction the triple helix in program of LED, as well as the positive impact the university's role in LED that can support regional development planning that is sensitive and responsive to the needs of local communities. This article also describe LED which accommodates the role played by universities in a planned manner in the utilization of assets will create a local initiative that integrates with the location of the university. This study was exploratory, through participation observation based on a few cases in higher education town. Jatinangor is university town acts as stimulator of regional development, strategic regions, science park area, agglomeration of the universities, as well as the collective action of society (local forums). Triple helix and the LED at Jatinangor are important role in driving local initiatives development through collective action that synergize and integrate the interests of community and region. This study found that the university plays a role in LED based on social glue among universities, active actor in interaction, and behavior of university leadership institute in support of LED. The findings support the explanation that the success of collaboration depends on cohesivity, leadership, mutual understanding,trust, information, and transparency process. Cohesivity of interaction is based on the recognition and fulfillment needs of the actors (individual interest) and interest of the institution (institutional interest), which led to the social glue among the actors involved as well as among agencies. Interaction amongs actors are process of social interaction and collective learning that gives rise to collective decision- making process for the sustainability of LED program. These process are helping to solving problems, meeting the needs of the region, and disseminating of innovation. Universities that proactive and responsible participation in the planning process will drive local resources, business development services, local needs and socio-economic problem-solving environment around the campus, so its existence to receive recognition from the government, communities and businesses in sustainable development of region.