This open access book explores Purpose Ecosystems as multi-stakeholder collaborations emerging across territories where universities, social enterprises, public institutions, civic organizations, and communities align their efforts around shared commitments to social and environmental transformation. Through the Purpose Ecosystem Compass (PEC), the book provides an integrative framework based on four interconnected dimensions: enabling conditions, transformative purpose, digital mechanisms, and governance architecture. By examining the relationships among these dimensions, the book offers a comprehensive perspective on how Purpose Ecosystems can emerge, evolve, and generate lasting societal and environmental impact.

Melita Nicotra is associate professor of Management at the Department of Economics and Business, University of Catania. She teaches Management and is a faculty member of the PhD Program in Economics, Management and Decision Making (EMADE). She also serves on the Scientific Committee of the Master in Grant Office Management. Her research focuses on the intersections of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial ecosystems, knowledge management, digital transformation, and AI-driven organizational change. Over the years, she has built a strong national and international research profile through collaborations with leading institutions in Italy and abroad. Melita has authored numerous scientific publications in top-tier journals, as well as several monographs and book chapters with international academic publishers. She is an active reviewer for several high-ranking journals in the fields of management, innovation, and knowledge studies. Beyond her research and teaching activities, Melita has coordinated and contributed to a wide range of projects on digital innovation, ecosystem development, entrepreneurial education, and technology transfer, working in collaboration with universities, research centers, public institutions, and private organizations.

Marco Romano is full professor of Management, Digital Innovation and Transformation Management, Omnichannel Management at the Department of Economics and Business, and Director of the Master in Grant Office Management, also faculty member of the PhD Program in Economics, Management and Decision Making, University of Catania. He is an associate research fellow on technology transfer at the National Institute for Nuclear Physics, a board member of Fondazione GRINS and a member of the Sicilian advisory board of UNICREDIT SpA. He authored and co-authored numerous publications in international journals on entrepreneurial issues with respect to scientists as principal investigators, entrepreneurial universities, entrepreneurial ecosystems, technology transfer, knowledge management, exploitation strategy, business planning and corporate governance. He serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Intellectual Capital. He was Visiting Professor and Visiting Scholar at several international universities and research institutes. He held leadership positions, including vice-president of Catania International Airport (SAC SpA), president of the Science and Technology Park of Sicily, board member of the Italian Network of Scientific and Technological Parks, general manager of the Department of Economic Development, Sicily Region and general manager of Service Health Emergency 118 in Sicily.