Global markets, enterprises, competition: Europe and Italy

“Global markets, enterprises, competition: Europe and Italy”, part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, started with a discussion of globalization and the internationalization of the market, leading to new forms of competition in Europe and the individual member states. The seminar examined some important, unresolved questions. First, there was a discussion of the various types of competition, according to company size, country systems and competitive strategies. Second, the seminar examined the various business “forms” that can meet this kind of challenge in Italy and Europe. Participants took a close look at SMEs and industrial districts, the bulwark of Italy’s economic model, and their problems today. They considered whether or not industrial districts end up hindering growth and how to take advantage of the interaction between big business, districts and workshops for greater innovation and the internationalization of Italy’s production system. Finally, the seminar analyzed what business and country-system model was needed to succeed in today’s world of growing geoeconomic competition.