Assessing science parks' performances: directions from selected Italian case studies

Performance measurement of science parks is becoming paramount and calls for more rigorous approaches. The present work is aimed at providing a sound and theory-grounded methodological framework to science parks performance measurement and some practical suggestions useful for the design and the implementation of a Science Park's (SPs) performance evaluation. By the review of recent literature it emerges that such a system is draw up as from the real mission and strategy of the SPs, that are influenced by the environment context, the stakeholder's commitment, the life-cycle of the SP, besides their technical and scientific cultures. Based on the analysis of four Italian case studies, the empirical findings partly lend support to previous research output and partly add new elements of discussion to the debate. More specifically, major results are that the evaluation criteria should be aligned with science park (a) actual mission, (b) major stakeholders commitment, (c) economic regional conditions, (d) legal forms, (e) nature of the scientific competence base available within research centres and (f) SP's life-cycle stages.