The Different Roles of Innovation Intermediaries in an Emerging Technology District: The Case of the Piedmont Regional Aerospace Sector

The purpose of this thesis is to determine the typology of innovation intermediaries and the roles they play in facilitating a complex socio-technological transition in an emerging technological district. Many countries are creating innovation districts, which bring together large companies, SMEs, startups, research and learning institutions, and public authorities, to solve often complex sociotechnological transition problems. A good understanding of what transition innovation intermediaries are and how they facilitate such transitions can help national, regional, or local authorities to design and effectively implement innovation cluster strategies. This study aims to identify, categorize, and evaluate intermediaries and their roles in the Piedmont Aerospace Innovation ecosystem. A descriptive case study strategy was employed, and a theoretical framework was developed using the studies of Kivimaa et al. (2019) and Van Lante et al. (2003). A mixed methods approach was used, collecting data from all organizations listed on DAP’s website. Active members of the Piedmont Aerospace Innovation Cluster were gathered through the link provided on DAP’s website. Additionally, online searches with relevant keywords were conducted to access news articles, announcements, and events related to Piedmont Aerospace’s intermediation activities. Financial statements of companies were accessed through the UNIMORE AIDA library. The results indicate that the Piedmont Aerospace cluster has many startup firms among its members, and there are five types of intermediaries: systemic, regime-based, process, hybrid, and traditional. The activities of intermediaries are largely influenced by the structure of the cluster, technological complexity, and the needs for foreign markets. Therefore, intermediaries incubate and nurture startups, create an environment for integrating startups and SMEs into the cluster, and connect the local firms with international partners. These findings contribute to innovation sustainability transition literature. The results highlight the different roles that intermediaries may play in facilitating technological sustainability transition in an emerging technology district.