Forms of knowledge and operation pattern of virtual GUI platform : An analysis of China Zhejiang Online Technology Market

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the operation pattern of the virtual university‐industry‐government (GUI) platform from the perspective of knowledge. Design/methodology/approach – Following a theoretical framework, the case of the China Zhejiang Online Technology Market (ZJOTM) is analyzed, which has been viewed as a model of the national virtual GUI platform. The operation pattern and effect of ZJOTM are discussed. The material and data are collected mainly from ZJOTM web site. Findings – According to the types of knowledge interaction between university and industry, this paper recognizes the context needed for knowledge interaction between industry and university as “virtual ba”, “physical ba” and “practice ba”. The virtual GUI platform just provides a virtual ba for knowledge interaction between industry and university. However, only “virtual ba” is not sufficient, “physical ba” and “practice ba” are also needed. Therefore, the operation of virtual GUI should utilize the complementary action of physical ba and practice ba. Moreover, it is better to deploy the ba flexibly according to the knowledge and sector characteristic. Originality/value – The paper specifies the innovation knowledge rich in industry and university and the knowledge interaction context needed, that provides a favourable framework to study the operation pattern of the virtual GUI platform. The findings also have important implications for government policy makers, university and industry practice for designing and implementing knowledge‐base innovation strategies.