Business Sustainability and the Hidden Strengths of Small-Medium Enterprises in the Southern Region
In a groundbreaking initiative, the Methrica Observatory—a collaboration between Banca Generali Private and the University of Naples Federico II—is set to identify best practices and governance models that combine economic performance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics, even in the absence of regulatory obligations.
The Methrica Observatory will employ a mixed method, integrating quantitative and qualitative analyses, questionnaires, and interviews, to understand the dynamics driving sustainability in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Southern Italy. This comprehensive approach aims to identify any structural or cultural barriers to transparency and suggest strategies to encourage sustainability, particularly among SMEs in the region.
The ultimate goal is to build a cluster of virtuous enterprises and analyze them using a "multiple case study" approach. By doing so, the Methrica Observatory seeks to enhance good practices and improve the approach towards a correct narrative of sustainability, which is strategic for competitiveness.
The Observatory's primary focus is on intangible assets, such as patents, trademarks, distinctive competencies, and corporate welfare, which play a crucial role in driving the sustainable transformation of SMEs. These assets foster innovation, protect market position, differentiate firms, and strengthen internal capabilities, collectively enhancing long-term competitiveness and resilience.
The Methrica Observatory will leverage these intangible assets to protect innovations and brand identity, cultivate distinctive competencies, and promote corporate welfare, thereby enabling SMEs to enter new markets, attract investment, and improve productivity and social sustainability.
Enzo Ruini, Strategic Sales Manager for Sustainability at Banca Generali Private, commented that SMEs in Southern Italy express a dynamic of great interest, even higher than the national average. The Observatory's data-driven insights will help SMEs align their innovation and human capital strategies with sustainable growth goals, thus facilitating their transformation towards green, inclusive, and resilient business models.
The Methrica Observatory will investigate a representative sample of SMEs with a turnover between 2 and 50 million euros, operating in key sectors such as agro-industry and agritech, green economy and sustainable energy, experiential and cultural tourism, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, textiles, and blue economy.
The Observatory's findings will serve as dissemination elements, contributing to academic debate and economic development policies in the territory. This initiative, therefore, represents a significant step towards sustainable entrepreneurship, innovation diffusion, and inclusive economic growth in the South.
In summary, the Methrica Observatory is a tool to understand how sustainability practices can be transformed into drivers of development for SMEs. By focusing on intangible assets and regional challenges, the Observatory empowers Southern SMEs to innovate, differentiate, and sustainably grow, ultimately contributing to the sustainable transformation and economic vitality of SMEs in the South.
- In their pursuit of sustainability, the Methrica Observatory may also consider investigating how work practices within SMEs, when combined with advancements in technology, could serve as catalysts for the sustainable transformation of these enterprises, particularly in the regions of sports and weather, where climate-friendly innovations and resilient human capital strategies could be key.
- As part of its comprehensive approach, the Methrica Observatory could delve into the use of technology in sports and weather sectors, identifying opportunities for SMEs to further integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics into their operations, thereby strengthening their long-term competitiveness, resilience, and overall contribution to sustainable economic growth.
