Italian industry focuses on managerial expertise and innovation to boost competitiveness

Unioncamere has proposed several strategic levers to enhance the competitiveness of the Italian production system, including increased managerialization, capital openness, technological innovation, and ecological transition. During a parliamentary hearing, Unioncamere highlighted that while 82% of Italian businesses are family-owned, integrating external managerial expertise is linked to a higher propensity for innovation. Specifically, companies led by external managers show a 38% investment rate in Industry 4.0 technologies, compared to 32% in family-led firms.

Additionally, generational turnover plays a critical role; companies with a higher percentage of workers under 30 are 10% more likely to invest in digital technologies and 8% more likely to invest in eco-innovation.

In a related move toward industrial development, the Graded group has launched the Graded Innovation Center at the Fabbrica Italiana dell'Innovazione in Naples. This permanent hub aims to accelerate business growth through mentorship, talent valorization, and open innovation. The center's inaugural program focused on sustainable finance, providing strategic resources with insights into European, national, and regional funding tools to support the ecological and energy transition.