PRESS RELEASE
Latest issue of Inapp’s scientific journal was published
INAPP, SMALL AND MICRO ENTERPRISES: “THEY REPRESENT 99.4 PERCENT OF THE PRODUCTIVE FABRIC AND PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT TO 63.4 PERCENT OF THOSE EMPLOYED IN THE NON-AGRICULTURAL PRIVATE SECTOR. A FABRIC THAT EPITOMISES RESILIENCE AND THAT MUST BE VALUED”
Fadda: “The overwhelming predominance of small-scale enterprises in the Italian production system is sometimes considered as a major element of weakness, other times as a significant strength. In reality, while new technologies allow for high levels of productive efficiency even on a small scale, various organisational, managerial and systemic elements place severe limits on the development of the full potential inherent in this category of enterprises.”
Rome, March 27, 2023 – 99.4 percent of Italy’s productive fabric is made up of small and micro enterprises (of 10-49 employees and 0-9 employees, respectively), which employ 63.4 percent of those employed in the non-agricultural private sector. This is an Italian peculiarity that became significantly pronounced between the 1990s and the first decade of this century, while in the last decade it has softened slightly, still remaining clearly predominant.
Inapp (National Institute for Public Policy Analysis) organised an event to discuss the latest findings of the Sinappsi’s latest issue on employment policies for small and micro enterprises, among other areas. The discussion was attended by: Sebastiano Fadda (Inapp president), Linda Maisto, Leonello Tronti (Università degli studi Roma Tre and editor of the monographic issue), Roberto Monducci (Scuola superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa), Ilario Alvino (Sapienza university of Rome), Raffaele Brancati (Met study center), Anna Giunta (Università degli studi Roma Tre), Paolo Quercia (Head of the study center General Secretariat, Ministry of Enterprise), Fabrizio Landi (President of Retimpresa, Confindustria), Enrico Quintavalle (Head of the study office, Confartigianato Imprese), Federica Garbolino (Head of communication and business development, Invitalia), Giorgio Graziani (Secretariat of the association for artisanal and local development, Cisl).
“The development of small and micro enterprises significantly depends on the overarching prospects of the entire economy and the Italian labour market”, commented Professor Sebastiano Fadda, president of Inapp. “Industrial and labour policies must be strategically oriented to help overcoming the limitations that small enterprises encounter in performing crucial functions, such as introducing innovations, managing financial, marketing and internationalisation activities, improving workers’ skills and work organisation, and the developing of managerial skills. The same small enterprises, moreover, must find ways to cooperate to carry out these activities in an associated manner as some of these would be difficult to adequately carry out individually.”
The monographic publication of Sinapp’s latest issue encompasses six essays that analyse small and micro enterprises from different perspectives and angles.
The first group of articles examines the features and looks at the potential impact of this segment of the Italian productive apparatus, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses, areas for development, etc., in order to implement policy measures that can promote and foster this sector’s growth. The second group of articles analyses the functioning and outcomes of existing policy measures, including joining business networks for the acquisition of high managerial and technical qualifications, the role of public procurement, the link between digital innovation policy (Industry 4.0 Plan) and circular economy practices, and the effects of Iso9001 certification.
“The data suggests that even if a small portion of this production fabric were to significantly develop, this could trigger a new phase of growth for the country. The evidence presented in this issue of Sinappsi”, Fadda concluded, “serves precisely to focus the debate on how to bring to maturity all the potential that has been building for the Italian economy with the creation of a large and articulated sector of small and micro enterprises, since the 1990s.
For more information:
Giancarlo Salemi – INAPP President Spokesperson (347 6312823)
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