Research project "The impact of the international crisis on mechanical subcontracting in Emilia-Romagna"
Special project for the year 2009 L.R. 20/94 art. 10 approved by the Emilia Romagna Region
(June 2010-December 2011)
1. Objectives
The research project aims to analyse the impact of the international crisis on the mechanical subcontracting in Emilia Romagna.
The general objectives of the project are the deepening of the knowledge of the ongoing processes of reconstruction and reorganization in subcontracting companies and the reconstruction of a useful framework to outline the intervention policies supporting innovation and competition of this type of enterprises.
The analytical objectives are as follows:
1. To outline the effects of the international crisis on artisanal subcontracting enterprises in the mechanical sector and the vertical and horizontal relations, which are the basis of the functioning of the main production chains;
2. To describe the strategies in response to the crisis of these enterprises and the processes of restructuring involving them;
3. To identify, in the current context, the critical, local and global aspects of the subcontracting chain and the possible areas of intervention for targeted industrial policies.
2. Expected results
1. to acquire knowledge and information, not deduced from official statistical sources, about ongoing restructuring process in artisanal subcontracting enterprises of regional mechanics, induced by the international crisis;
2. to gain useful indications for the formulation of intervention policies oriented towards the competitiveness and innovation of this type of enterprise.
3. Methodology
The research is based on the study of business cases related to contractors and on mechanical subcontracting companies, located in the provinces of Modena and Bologna. The case studies will be carried out through direct interviews with companies, using a semi-structured questionnaire with both closed and open questions.
It is predicted that about twenty company cases will be analysed.
Scientific direction: Margherita Russo - University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Scientific consultancy: Andrea Ginzburg and Giovanni Bonifati - University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Research coordination: Daniela Bigarelli - R&I srl
Collaborating with the research group: Monica Baraccchi, Stefania Corradi - R&I srl, Stefania Sardo - research assignee Officina Emilia (UniMORE); Angela Giampaglia and Valeria Righi - International Management degree (Unimore) and trainees at Officina Emilia (UniMORE)