Measuring and reporting intangible assets in multi-sectoral science and technology park: AREA Science Park of Trieste

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to describe the instrument of IC reporting for research organization (RO), which have a broad scope of activities that differ from universities and private firms. Generally, they are specialized in different field applied research and technology development. The present study focus on a public research center, which uses public funds and this means that there is a greater demand for accountability. The company under analysis is the AREA Science Park of Trieste (Italy), born in the late 70s. AREA is now one of the most important parks internationally, recognized in 2005 by the Ministry of Education as a Public Institution National Research first level and point of reference in Italy for technology transfer. The choice of AREA Science Park is linked to the fact that it draws from 2006 a report of intellectual capital, which objective is to make a picture of intangible heritage of the company, that is, the set of knowledge, skills and relationships that constitute essential elements in the process of value creation and that neither the financial statements nor the social report, according to their traditional patterns, they are able to highlight and exploit fully. The analysis is carried out through a case study, whose approach is appropriate when a researcher needs to conduct analysis of a complex phenomenon in its real-life context (Yin, 2003; Berry and Otley, 2004) and whenthe researcher could deepen the understanding of the investigated phenomenon, needs to acquire information usingdifferent methods of collecting data (Yin, 2003).