Studi e ricerche sulle reti d’impresa

open access | peer reviewed

Aims & Scope
Il tema delle reti d’impresa ha assunto crescente rilevanza negli studi di management focalizzati sulla competitività e sostenibilità delle imprese, specialmente se di piccola o media dimensione. In particolare il contratto di rete, specifico del contesto italiano, rappresenta uno strumento normativo unico nel suo genere e sul panorama internazionale poiché permette alle imprese di formalizzare una collaborazione inter-organizzativa lasciando al tempo stesso piena autonomia. La presente collana propone un’ampia riflessione su questi temi, portata avanti da un gruppo di lavoro interdisciplinare costituito dal Dipartimento di Management dell’Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia, Retimpresa e Infocamere. La collana sviluppa l’indagine sulla genesi, caratteristiche e performance del contratto di rete e ne propone un inquadramento teorico all’interno del filone di studi sulle reti d’impresa, seguito da diversi approfondimenti tematici e settoriali volti ad indagare i diversi aspetti organizzativi, manageriali, e finanziari di tale strumento normativo. La collana vuole contribuire ad alimentare il dibattito scientifico sui temi della collaborazione inter-organizzativa, ma soprattutto a diffondere la conoscenza delle opportunità e modalità legate all’adozione del contratto di rete tra le imprese italiane.

Permalink doi.org | e-ISSN 2724-4741 | ISSN 2724-3931 | Language it | ANCE E260776

Copyright This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Latest published volume

Latest book publication cover
  • Osservatorio Nazionale sulle reti d’impresa 2025
  • Anna Cabigiosu
  • April 20, 2026
  • This volume provides an integrated empirical and analytical assessment of business networks established through network contracts in Italy, drawing on data from the 2025 edition of the National Observatory of Network Contracts. Combining administrative data with an original survey of 178 networks, the book examines the diffusion, structural characteristics, governance mechanisms, leadership practices, performance outcomes, and policy-relevant dimensions of inter-firm collaboration.
    The contributions show that network contracts have reached a phase of institutional maturity, shifting attention from their quantitative diffusion to the quality and effectiveness of collaboration. Empirical evidence highlights significant heterogeneity across networks in terms of objectives, sectoral specialization, governance configurations, and leadership orientations. While networks generally display satisfactory levels of cohesion and perceived benefits for participating firms, innovation outcomes – especially radical innovation – remain uneven and contingent on specific organizational conditions.
    A central contribution of the volume lies in its analysis of governance and leadership. Networks increasingly adopt hybrid coordination arrangements combining formal mechanisms and relational practices, while leadership emerges as a dynamic and contingent process rather than a purely formal role. Goal-oriented and efficient leadership supports innovation and network attractiveness, whereas cohesion enhances stability but may limit openness and renewal. These findings frame networks as adaptive organizational systems rather than static contractual arrangements.
    The volume also addresses incentives, skills, and training, revealing a persistent gap between the strategic importance attributed to competencies and the limited use of structured training and managerial tools. This gap constrains the long-term sustainability of networks and calls for policy interventions that move beyond financial incentives toward organizational and capability-building support.
    Overall, the book contributes to the literature on inter-organizational networks by conceptualizing network contracts as intermediate organizational forms and offers evidence-based insights for policy makers and practitioners aiming to strengthen collaborative capacity and competitiveness within the Italian productive system.