This paper analyzes a new legislative instrument designed to support inter-firm cooperation (the “network contract” - a tool introduced by the Italian government to sustain corporate competitiveness in 2009) - to see whether this type of formal cooperation represents a relevant driver of change in a firm’s strategic orienta¬tion regarding internationalization. Results indicate that the network contract is a flexible instrument used by Italian SMEs to achieve different strategies of growth and long-term objectives. The authors found that internationalization does not represent the main goal of firms participating in network contracts, however there are a few firms that have increased their business activity abroad after joining the network. At the same time, firms with a previous history of internationalization do not seem to have changed their approach re¬garding the international dimension. Consequently, the network contract does not represent the most suitable tool for promoting internationalization among domestic firms, although internationalization may emerge as a by-product of inter-firm relationships.
The Network Contract and its Influence on Strategic Decision of Internationalization: Evidence from Italy
DEL BALDO, MARA;
2013
Abstract
This paper analyzes a new legislative instrument designed to support inter-firm cooperation (the “network contract” - a tool introduced by the Italian government to sustain corporate competitiveness in 2009) - to see whether this type of formal cooperation represents a relevant driver of change in a firm’s strategic orienta¬tion regarding internationalization. Results indicate that the network contract is a flexible instrument used by Italian SMEs to achieve different strategies of growth and long-term objectives. The authors found that internationalization does not represent the main goal of firms participating in network contracts, however there are a few firms that have increased their business activity abroad after joining the network. At the same time, firms with a previous history of internationalization do not seem to have changed their approach re¬garding the international dimension. Consequently, the network contract does not represent the most suitable tool for promoting internationalization among domestic firms, although internationalization may emerge as a by-product of inter-firm relationships.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
