The Evaluation of the “Third Mission” in Italian Universities as a Partial Report of the Intellectual Capital

urpose: The present research aims to analyze the Self-Assessment, Evaluation, and Accreditation (AVA) system used in Italian universities to appreciate the extent to which the AVA system is in line with the IC report models identified by the theory and practice. Also based on the EU recommendations, the research aims to understand if the set of ANVUR indicators—even if limited to the third mission—could represent a primordial reference of a structured IC reporting based on the prevailing models developed by the theory and practice on the subject. Methodology: The research uses a qualitative methodology, examining the Italian academic evaluation system in the light of the IC conceptual framework, to express a judgment on the ability of the evaluation models, affirmed in the legislation and practice, of focusing on IC key resources of universities that consume, employ and generate knowledge in their third mission process. Findings: Results show an alignment between the process-oriented IC report models suggested by the theory and practice and the approach adopted in the AVA model. Originality and practical implication: The study intends to enrich the debate within the scientific community on the use of IC report models for the universities’ third mission. The study sights to identify a set of AVA indicators on which may be built an IC report of the universities that responds to internal and external accounting and managerial requirements and national obligations and EU suggestions.