Structural Changes in Italian Firms and Reactions to the Present Crisis

The article brings into focus the main structural changes that have taken place in the Italian manufacturing enterprises in the last few years with the aim of ascertaining the firms’ reactions to the present crisis. During the period 2004-2007 Italian export firms showed a positive response to the previous years of “decline” (2001-2003) thanks to organizational changes, innovation and a better quality of exported products. The present crisis implies important strategic changes for all firms, and not only the exporting firms. Priority must go to demand control, considering both the consumers’ new needs and the necessity to enter into alliances with other firms, including competitors.