Abstract

Italian industry overcame the two global crises of 1973 (oil) and 2008 (financial markets) by highlighting productivity and innovation. To safeguard employment levels, the State tried toughening the productive structure, but failed in its intent. Response came from medium sized enterprises, first with Advanced Tertiary and civil economy permeated industrial districts, and then with Fourth Capitalism and Global Value Chains. The reaction of large companies was to innovate. But since there are few of them nowadays, we need an extensive redirecting of technology towards small businesses