ABSTRACT As the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline approaches, the capacity of innovation systems to generate inclusive and scalable solutions has emerged as an urgent strategic priority. This study explores the manner in which higher education institution (HEI) and industry collaborations utilize fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies to accelerate progress toward SDGs and address persistent performance gaps. A systematic bibliometric analysis of 102 Scopus‐indexed publications (2015–2024) was conducted, combined with thematic synthesis, global case‐model analysis, and supporting evidence from Indian HEIs. The study revealed structural asymmetries in research capacity, funding continuity, and decision‐making power. In light of the aforementioned findings, the present study proposes an equity‐centric quadratic helix (EC‐QH) framework, which reconceptualizes HEI and industry collaboration by situating equity at the core of governance design. The proposed framework calls for the implementation of redistributive mechanisms across a range of sectors, including finance, governance, intellectual property, and capacity building. This research contributes to the advancement of business strategy and sustainability scholarship by offering practical insights for universities, industry, and policymakers seeking to develop innovation systems that are both effective and socially equitable.
Nzeyimana et al. (Mon,) studied this question.