Decoding the value of intellectual capital in multi-actors and collaborative platforms: insights from the high-level science and technology innovation platform

Purpose Due to the increasing socioeconomic complexity, new emerging managerial, social and economic approaches are required for depicting new drivers for value creation and competitive advantage able to support companies’ and organizations’ survival over time. Building upon this assumption, the paper investigates how intellectual capital (IC) can act as a key driver for socioeconomic development thanks to the collaboration and knowledge sharing among multiple actors. Design/methodology/approach By adopting the interpretative framework provided by the triple helix model, the three drivers of the IC – human, structural and relational capital – are used for decoding how IC emerges from the interaction among University, Industry and Government, creating multiple paths for value creation and shared competitive advantages for all the involved actors. In such a vein, the concept of High-level Science and Technology Innovation Platform (HSTIP) is used for investigating the institute of future technology (IFT) and its four subsystems – three centers (i.e. Scientific and Technological Talent Center, Science & Technology Innovation Center, and Science & Technology Achievement Trading Center) and one Industrial Park of Future Technology. Findings Through a single case study analysis, the research shows how the articulated configuration led by the IFT, equipped with their respective configurations of human, structural and relational capital, plays a mediating role in offering coordinative interfaces for incubated firms to effectively integrate heterogeneous knowledge resources. Originality/value This study enriches the IC literature by identifying the dynamic paths through which multi-actors and collaborative platforms inspired by HSTIP logic, such as the IFT, represent a powerful way to help companies and organizations in acquiring and using competitive advantages related to knowledge sharing and collaboration for improving their opportunity for survival over time.