Series | Studi e ricerche sulle reti d’impresa
Volume 5 | Edited book | Osservatorio Nazionale sulle reti d’impresa 2024

Osservatorio Nazionale sulle reti d’impresa 2024

open access
    edited by
  • Anna Cabigiosu - Venice School of Management, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Italia - email orcid profile

Abstract
The 2024 edition of the Observatory on interfirm network contracts provides an extensive analysis of the evolution, performance, and management of these networks (“contratti di rete”) in Italy. Drawing on comprehensive data from InfoCamere up to the end of 2024, combined with insights from surveys conducted in 2019, 2021, and 2023, the report identifies clear trends and strategic implications. This edition highlights the continued growth of network contracts, which reached a total of 9,630 by the end of 2024, involving approximately 50,000 enterprises nationwide. Notably, there has been a significant resurgence of micro-networks and intra-provincial collaborations, alongside increased sector-specific clustering. The agrifood sector leads in participation, followed by mechanical engineering and construction. The findings underscore the growing prominence of female entrepreneurship within these networks. Conversely, youth and foreign entrepreneurship remain limited, suggesting untapped potential and opportunities for policy interventions to enhance inclusivity. Geographical analyses reveal distinct regional patterns, with Veneto, Lombardy, and Emilia-Romagna standing out. The Observatory also explores network resilience through case studies such as Slow Bike Tourism and Jubea, which illustrate the flexible, responsive nature of these structures in navigating economic uncertainties. Additionally, the analysis examines financial strategies, particularly mini-bond issuance, highlighting missed opportunities to leverage network affiliation as a driver for attracting investment. Overall, the study emphasizes the strategic importance of adaptive governance models, promoting internal coordination, fostering trust among members, and enhancing organizational performance. This comprehensive evaluation offers valuable insights for businesses and policymakers seeking to optimize network effectiveness and economic resilience. Furthermore, the study highlights the pivotal role of associations, cooperatives, and foundations in facilitating network formation, strategic coordination, and the promotion of innovation and competitiveness.

Keywords Performance • Associations • Market similarity • Shared governance • Network resilience • Inter-firm networks • Non-profit organization • Aggregations • Coordination mechanisms • Coordination • Competitiveness • Network contracts • Supply chain overlap • Cooperative enterprise • Business association • Sustainability • Resilience • Network structure • Partnership • Alternative finance • Dynamic resilience • Goals • Network governance • Regional characteristics • Foundation • Industries • Network administrative organization (NAO) • Networked businesses • Organization • Securities • Relations • Sectors • Governance • Minibond • Strategic composition • Lead organization governance • Geographic concentration • Digital innovation • Resource complementarity • Consortium • Proactive resilience • Geographical concentration • Reactive resilience

Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/978-88-6969-907-8 | e-ISBN 978-88-6969-907-8 | Published May 5, 2025 | Language it

Copyright © 2025 Anna Cabigiosu. 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.

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