Science Parks: what they are and how they need to be evaluated

Abstract

Science Parks have become a popular policy tool to enhance knowledge-based regional development since the early 1980s. Science Parks are found in many places around the globe based on different models of stakeholder involvement and missions. The use of public investment has urged the need for evaluation of Science Parks to improve efficiency and this has led to a steady flow of evaluation studies. These studies have produced outcomes that are either not conclusive or only in part positive. Particularly, the causality question remains unsolved. Despite the rather poor proof of success, Science Parks, paradoxically, have remained extremely popular as a policy tool. This study elucidates both the diversity in Science Park models and the Science Park paradox, and proposes a list of requirements that contributes to a more refined approach to evaluate the impacts of Science Parks.