Territorio, relazioni e competitività. Verso nuovi percorsi di sviluppo nazionale ed internazionale per le piccole e medie imprese italiane

The growing complexity that characterizes the national and international competition is driving companies to choose strategies more carefully and to implement their organizational models. In the knowledge economy (Rullani. 2004). The model of industrial district finds itself to face emerging challenges, which also require SMEs to identify new ways to evolve, in order to survive. A first way is a progressive investment on intangible resources to differentiate products and production process (Rullani. 2006). It therefore tends to exploit know-how, creativity and design as distinctive elements of made in Italy, making it internationally appreciated. A second way is the generation of knowledge and creativity in the district that can be promoted and supported by a "leader SME". that tends to revitalise the life cycle of the district (Varaldo. 2006). A third and more recent way for development, is leading SMEs to exploit and specify their identity and values in connection with their territory. This one, that is traditionally characterized by geographic aspects, requires a new intangible perspective that comes from history and relationships. This approach enables SMEs developing important capabilities that the internationalization process requires: exploratory ability, learning and adaptation capability. These capabilities can be achieved through collaborative relationships.