Business networks: effective, but in need of improvement
The Observatory’s latest report on the sector indicates many benefits to aggregating businesses in this way, but also considerable room for improvement
Business networks can be seen as one of the best expressions of a healthy culture of productivity that is good for Italy’s economy and development. They are networks that, naturally, must be well constructed and managed – and which, therefore, need to be understood. And the starting point is the tools they have available, such as network contracts.
For some time now, network contracts have been subject to analysis by the National Observatory on business networks (conducted by Ca’ Foscari University, Retimpresa and Infocamere), which has developed an updated bank of research on the state of the art of this method of corporate aggregation and collaboration.
The series of investigations conducted by the Observatory, now collected in a volume edited by Anna Cabigiosu, therefore allows us to “take the pulse” of this tool and understand how it could evolve. The first analysis concerns the recent dynamics of contracts and the emerging innovations. Next comes a more in-depth look at the characteristics of current contracts and their ability to deliver results, before turning to an exploration of their governance. The report then goes on to delve into specific elements, such as working relationships, the resilience of business networks, geographical proximity as a competitive factor, the degree of innovation in the networks and taxation and financial-related aspects.
“Over the years, the networks have become narrower geographically and sectorally,” says the editor in her conclusions, before adding that “to be effective [the networks] must standardise [their use] of a range of resources”. There is a particular focus on elements that add resilience and innovation, as well as the ability to make better use of the tools made available by tax and labour law regulations.
Business networks are, therefore, important – even if there remains room for improvement. This is the Observatory’s clear message, and it is one that is of great value for the general growth of Italy’s business culture.
Osservatorio Nazionale sulle reti d’impresa 2023 (National Observatory on Business Networks 2023)
Anna Cabigiosu (ed.), Venezia Edizioni Ca’ Foscari – Venice University Press, 2024
The Observatory’s latest report on the sector indicates many benefits to aggregating businesses in this way, but also considerable room for improvement
Business networks can be seen as one of the best expressions of a healthy culture of productivity that is good for Italy’s economy and development. They are networks that, naturally, must be well constructed and managed – and which, therefore, need to be understood. And the starting point is the tools they have available, such as network contracts.
For some time now, network contracts have been subject to analysis by the National Observatory on business networks (conducted by Ca’ Foscari University, Retimpresa and Infocamere), which has developed an updated bank of research on the state of the art of this method of corporate aggregation and collaboration.
The series of investigations conducted by the Observatory, now collected in a volume edited by Anna Cabigiosu, therefore allows us to “take the pulse” of this tool and understand how it could evolve. The first analysis concerns the recent dynamics of contracts and the emerging innovations. Next comes a more in-depth look at the characteristics of current contracts and their ability to deliver results, before turning to an exploration of their governance. The report then goes on to delve into specific elements, such as working relationships, the resilience of business networks, geographical proximity as a competitive factor, the degree of innovation in the networks and taxation and financial-related aspects.
“Over the years, the networks have become narrower geographically and sectorally,” says the editor in her conclusions, before adding that “to be effective [the networks] must standardise [their use] of a range of resources”. There is a particular focus on elements that add resilience and innovation, as well as the ability to make better use of the tools made available by tax and labour law regulations.
Business networks are, therefore, important – even if there remains room for improvement. This is the Observatory’s clear message, and it is one that is of great value for the general growth of Italy’s business culture.
Osservatorio Nazionale sulle reti d’impresa 2023 (National Observatory on Business Networks 2023)
Anna Cabigiosu (ed.), Venezia Edizioni Ca’ Foscari – Venice University Press, 2024