The book is focused on the relationship between business strategies and competitiveness among Italian SMEs in times of deep change, like the current economic and financial crisis. Contents are organized into five chapters. Chapter 1, gives a first framework on the concept of strategy. After defining strategy, theoretical contributions are brought to understand the difference between business strategy, business model, and strategic intent. Different strategies in different competitive contexts are also analyzed. Chapter 2 goes into detail with the main sources of competitive advantage, taking into account cost advantage, advantage of differentiation and innovation, and the way SMEs can create, maintain and defend their competitive edge. Chapter 3 offers an overview on the peculiarities of Italian SMEs, taking into account their strengths and weaknesses: size limitations, family-run business, their development inside and outside industrial clusters and other forms of networks, the internationalization process, made in Italy and its competitiveness. The chapter ends with a reflection on the current financial and economic crisis and the reactions coming from the market. The aim is to outline some challenges and opportunities for the competitiveness of SMEs. Chapter 4 is devoted to the research on the business strategy and the competitiveness of SMEs, operating in the third industrial area of Italy for value added and business concentration, which is Monza and Brianza province. A CAWI/CATI (Computer Aided Web Interview/ Computer Aided Telephone Interview) survey was carried out in four editions, in the period 2011-2014 and addressed to 900 firms on average, with a redemption rate of 20% to 26%, depending on the year. The research has been developed by Criet, Research Centre for territorial development and economics of the University of Milan-Bicocca in collaboration with Confindustria Monza and Brianza Association, now Assolombarda Confindustria Milano, Monza and Brianza. The goal of the research is to analyze the strategic approach of the firms surveyed on marketing and communication, internationalization, access to credit, networking and other forms of collaboration, innovation, enhancement of intangibles and human resources, and generational succession. Chapter 5 starts from a synthesis on the strategic intent of the SMEs of Monza and Brianza province. It then continues with a reflection on three key challenges that may influence the competitiveness of Italian SMEs. These challenges are generational succession for family businesses, the development of managerial capabilities and market-oriented approach, and investments in intangibles and human resources. The chapter ends reflecting on the role of institutions in boosting the competitiveness of SMEs.
Gavinelli, L. (2016). Business strategies and competitiveness in times of crisis: A survey on Italian SMEs. London : Palgrave Macmillan [10.1057/978-1-137-57810-5].
Business strategies and competitiveness in times of crisis: A survey on Italian SMEs
GAVINELLI, LAURA
Primo
2016
Abstract
The book is focused on the relationship between business strategies and competitiveness among Italian SMEs in times of deep change, like the current economic and financial crisis. Contents are organized into five chapters. Chapter 1, gives a first framework on the concept of strategy. After defining strategy, theoretical contributions are brought to understand the difference between business strategy, business model, and strategic intent. Different strategies in different competitive contexts are also analyzed. Chapter 2 goes into detail with the main sources of competitive advantage, taking into account cost advantage, advantage of differentiation and innovation, and the way SMEs can create, maintain and defend their competitive edge. Chapter 3 offers an overview on the peculiarities of Italian SMEs, taking into account their strengths and weaknesses: size limitations, family-run business, their development inside and outside industrial clusters and other forms of networks, the internationalization process, made in Italy and its competitiveness. The chapter ends with a reflection on the current financial and economic crisis and the reactions coming from the market. The aim is to outline some challenges and opportunities for the competitiveness of SMEs. Chapter 4 is devoted to the research on the business strategy and the competitiveness of SMEs, operating in the third industrial area of Italy for value added and business concentration, which is Monza and Brianza province. A CAWI/CATI (Computer Aided Web Interview/ Computer Aided Telephone Interview) survey was carried out in four editions, in the period 2011-2014 and addressed to 900 firms on average, with a redemption rate of 20% to 26%, depending on the year. The research has been developed by Criet, Research Centre for territorial development and economics of the University of Milan-Bicocca in collaboration with Confindustria Monza and Brianza Association, now Assolombarda Confindustria Milano, Monza and Brianza. The goal of the research is to analyze the strategic approach of the firms surveyed on marketing and communication, internationalization, access to credit, networking and other forms of collaboration, innovation, enhancement of intangibles and human resources, and generational succession. Chapter 5 starts from a synthesis on the strategic intent of the SMEs of Monza and Brianza province. It then continues with a reflection on three key challenges that may influence the competitiveness of Italian SMEs. These challenges are generational succession for family businesses, the development of managerial capabilities and market-oriented approach, and investments in intangibles and human resources. The chapter ends reflecting on the role of institutions in boosting the competitiveness of SMEs.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.