Knowledge co-creation through Future internet-oriented activities: evidences from a cultural heritage innovation ecosystem

Objectives of the paper. The increasing importance of technologies is changing lots of industries; cultural heritage is offering a test-bed in which technologies can deploy their potentialities. This paper is aiming at depicting the role of project leaders in favouring knowledge creation through future internet in cultural heritage. Methodology. The methodology chosen is action research as it is strictly linked to the issue of team leaders’ role in managing complex sets of actors, especially due to the relevant role played by University in the project chosen as context of analysis. Findings. The project has been developed to protect and enhance cultural assets through enabling technologies; thus innovation is favoured within an ecosystem of actors. In more detail, the technology supported in several ways knowledge creation in relation with: 1) an integrated system of knowledge, 2) diagnostic monitoring, 3) a sustainable fruition. Limitations of the research. The results emerged in a specific context and the sub-projects are still ongoing, so a longitudinal perspective could delineate the dynamics and the evolution of relationships among partners within the innovation ecosystems, looking at the integration of knowledge and technologies. Originality of the paper. The study is offering new insights about the role of technology in shaping knowledge creation; the depiction of actors’ roles, their coordination and the processes shaping knowledge-oriented cooperation are proposing a fresh contribution to both knowledge creation studies and to the tasks of project leaders.