A speech by the Secretary General of the Bank of Italy sheds light on the links between the past and the present in productive organisations

Innovating without forgetting corporate traditions is an important principle, even if it may seem somewhat contradictory at first. It is a principle that must be taken seriously and  put into practice within production and service organisations. Massimo Doria (Secretary General of the Bank of Italy) developed this concept in his speech, ‘Valuing tradition and skills to meet the challenge of innovation’, delivered at the conference ‘Human capital and development: Prospects for Sardinia and beyond’ on 19 March 2026.

First, Doria examined the context in which businesses and organisations generally find themselves operating. This is a context in which innovation appears to play a dominant role, alongside working and market conditions shaped by past developments and human action.

The Secretary General of the Bank of Italy considered what skills need to be developed to strike a balance between innovation  and preserving traditions that remain important today, bearing in mind changes in working hours and the organisation of work itself. In his conclusions, Doria noted that, ‘In a system where working time is better integrated with personal time than in the past, but which is also becoming detached from stable connections with places and people, it is important to preserve human bonds. These bonds form the foundation of what we call a ‘sense of belonging’ in any organisation, and are the ability to recognise and support one another. It is the common thread that binds people of different generations and experiences.’ On further reflection, these guidelines can certainly apply to any production organisation.

Valuing tradition and skills to meet the challenge of innovation

Massimo Doria (Secretary General of the Bank of Italy)

Speech at the conference ‘Human capital and development: Prospects for Sardinia and beyond’, Cagliari, 19 March 2026