International franchising in Italy: trends and perspectives

In Italy, the recent gradual liberalization of the retail market has led to an increase in competition and innovation. In this context, new and more flexible forms of organization have emerged, and franchising in particular has undergone a strong expansion. The main purpose of this work is to present a complete framework of the Italian franchising and to analyse its role, structural characteristics, trend and development in the context of the European market.

The Sharing economy: the problem of a shared definition

The sharing economy is founded on pooling and exchanging services, goods, resources, time, skills, and knowledge in order to reduce the costs and, at the same time, to reduce or eliminate the intermediaries. This phenomenon has increased in importance in recent years but there is no single definition in the literature, rather there are different terms to define the general concept. The aim of the paper is therefore to identify the different definitions developed in doctrine in order to finally understand the causes that led to the crisis of the linear economy in favour of the circular economy

Sustainable Consumption in the Luxury Industry: Towards a New Paradigm in China’s High-End Demand

In the present competitive global environment, many drivers should motivate the growing attention paid to sustainable consumption in the luxury industry. From the demand side, in Western mature markets wealthy consumers show a growing awareness of environmental and social issues and, therefore, seek new forms of luxury which show respect for both natural resources and human beings, yet standing by traditional factors such as quality, rarity, creativity, originality and craftsmanship of goods. On the firm’s side, sustainable consumption offers luxury firms a particularly suitable platform to enrich the value-set of products as brands identity and brand image. Starting from a review of the literature on the concept of sustainable consumption, the paper provides an analysis of the main drivers that are leading to the emergence of “sustainable luxury”. The aim of the paper is to investigate the opportunity for the development of this new competitive paradigm within the Chinese luxury market, by analyzing the distinct feature of Chinese high-end demand. The paper also taking into account the growing role played by the Chinese central government in creating the conditions for sustainable consumption or “circular economy”

The Role of “Slow Territories” in the Development of Sustainable Tourism

The paper intends to propose an analysis of the so called “slow territories”, sometimes little known contexts that present a significant set of both tangible and intangible resources often characterized by levels of excellence, by investigating in particular their role in the development of sustainable tourism. In recent years, the international tourism market highlights important chances, both as regard the demand and supply sides, and an increasing attention and sensitivity to sustainability understood in its social, environmental and economic dimension The emergence of a substantial segment of demand more aware and attentive to the sustainable dimension of the holiday is connected to the growth of the cultural level of tourists: in this framework the increasing awareness of environmental issues, the respect and desire to learn about the traditions of local cultures are becoming key criteria in the choice of tourist destinations. These trends have led to the emergence of a new type of tourist, who aims to live a territory and to interact with the local community, in a relationship of mutual exchange, which translate into a new experiential dimension of the holiday. In this perspective the “slow territories” represent not only a model of local development, but also a growth trajectory that combines economic growth, social cohesion, entrepreneurial innovation and environmental protection, with a view to sustainability

Using the transparency of supply chain powered by blockchain to improve sustainability relationships with stakeholders in the food sector: The case study of Lavazza

Food product safety and quality are considered to be of the utmost significance on a global scale. Highly publicized food safety incidents have significantly increased public interest in food traceability, defined as “the ability to track any food, feed, food-producing animal or substance that will be used for consumption, through all stages of production, processing, and distribution” (European Union). The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that governments, producers, and consumers work together to ensure food safety, which calls for the dissemination of pertinent information throughout complex food value networks. Therefore, it is in the best interest of profitdriven businesses to implement information systems for tracking food goods, a significant byproduct of which is the likelihood of increased profitability. This paper aims to explore the ample possibilities for such implementations that are now available thanks to blockchain technology. In particular, the goal is to explore the dynamics of this technology and identify how it helps to create good customer relationships. For this purpose, the case of Lavazza, an important Italian roasted coffee company that has recently introduced a blockchain-tracked product to the market, is analyzed in detail, including all the steps that made the application of the technology possible and how it was finally communicated to the consumer. The case study offers a concrete example that resulted from both stakeholders’ internal need for greater traceability and consumers’ external need for greater transparency regarding the company’s sourcing processes. In this pilot project, collaboration among all the entities that are part of the chain was essential to delivering a formative, customized, and ultimately, easy-to-understand experience to the end consumer. Finally, Lavazza is an example of a company that decided to challenge itself by following a trend that will be increasingly present in future socioeconomic scenarios

A Worldwide Overview of the Wellness Economy Market: The Technogym and Peloton Case Studies

A stressful and unbalanced lifestyle leadsto a marked decrease in wellbeing levels from a different point of view. The generation of baby boomers and generation X have suffered more and more from this modern style. Today, generation Y (Millennials) seems to be much more interested and sensitive in this field. They also proactively seek to find an adequate solution by investing one of the most precious personal assets which is their free time. Considering the growing demand for well-being, the wellness economy is becoming more and more popular. It is a market of about $ 4.5 trillion dollars, divided into well-defined segments or macro-areas market, steadily growing from 2015 onwards. The boundaries are difficult to define today due to its numerous cross-growth opportunities. After a wide description of the wellness economy, this paper focuses on introducing the role of connected fitness to analyze its component and dynamics. Using a case study methodology, supported by a SWOT analysis, two of the most relevant players in this market were analyzed based on strengths, weakness, and future developments. The results show a situation where the two competitors are balanced and have a clear strategy for their expansion, even though they cannot count on all customer groups

“Albergo Diffuso” Model for the Analysis of Customer Satisfaction

This paper focuses on assessing the level of satisfaction of customers that had spent some part of their holidays in an eco-way style. This is an innovative form of hospitality that is represented by the “Albergo Diffuso”. The connection between this sustainable tourism model and the customers wellbeing is based on concepts which are directly connected with sustainability and environment in a rural destination. The data are related to 450 reviews which were selected randomly from two websites of reviews and are about 15 different Hotels (Albergo Diffuso model). The methodology of content analysis, with a successive application of regression model, has been used to understand the factors that influence the tourist’s opinion. It also identifies the role ofsustainability, innovation, and tradition for customers that spend their holiday in ADs. The hypotheses tested in the paper are associated with the features of the literature and the link with sustainability of this model. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the customers satisfaction factors of a new tourist model which is quite diffused in Italy and other parts of the world. This will help to understand if the elements highlighted in the literature are consistent with the reviews or if there are other factors. For example, the provision of physiological and safety needs are more important for tourists

Emerging Competitive Strategies in the Global Luxury Industry in the Perspective of Sustainable Development: the Case of Kering Group

In the last years, many drivers should motivate luxury companies to engage in more sustainable practices. On the one hand, consumers seek new forms of luxury that shows respect for natural resources and human beings, yet standing by traditional factors such as quality, creativity, originality, craftsmanship and savoirfaire. The recent economic crisis has thrust the consumers towards the search for responsible luxury. In the new economic and competitive scenario, luxury brands would base their identity and image on a set of values through which they should be known and publicly judged by both clients and the market; sustainable development and corporate social responsibility strategies offer a particularly suitable platform to enrich the value-set of luxury brands. In this framework, the luxury industry is undergoing a process of self-analysis and redefinition of competitive strategies in the light of social responsibility and sustainable dimension. In order to create both financial and non-financial value, sustainable development needs to be incorporated in the core strategy of the firm and its core business. In this perspective, the paper provides an analysis of the main drivers that, in the luxury industry, are leading to a growing integration of social responsibility and sustainable development principles in the competitive strategies of luxury firms. In particular, the paper focuses on innovations emerging in the luxury industry, both at strategic and organizational levels, and provides an overview of new emerging innovative business models coherent with the principles of corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The theoretical analysis is supported by presentation of the case of the French Group Kering, which represents a pioneering example in sustainable development applied to competitive strategies and leading brand management practices

Musei d'impresa: sfide, opportunità e strategie per la preservazione e valorizzazione del patrimonio industriale e imprenditoriale

I musei d'impresa avvicinano storia, tecnologia e innovazione al fine di narrare l'impatto delle imprese e delle industrie sulla società, sulla cultura e l'economia di un territorio. A differenza dei musei tradizionali, il valore dei musei d'impresa non risiede solo nei beni esposti, ma nel messaggio e nell'esperienza che trasmettono. Difatti, ogni museo rappresenta un caso unico, dato che la storia imprenditoriale che raccontano è esclusiva e per questa ragione essi svolgono molteplici ruoli, dalla celebrazione di eventi legati alle aziende e famiglie, alla fornitura di servizi di comunicazione e formazione imprenditoriale, fino a contribuire alla promozione della responsabilità sociale e culturale delle imprese. I musei d'impresa sono anche motori di attività di ricerca, conservazione e trasmissione del patrimonio materiale e immateriale delle aziende. Inoltre, contribuiscono alla valorizzazione dell'identità dell'azienda e dei legami impresaterritorio- stakeholder, trasformando il passato industriale in risorse culturali, identitarie e formative per la comunità locale e il pubblico più vasto. Tuttavia, tali musei affrontano sfide finanziarie, gestionali e tecnologiche, che richiedono approcci innovativi per la loro sostenibilità a lungo termine. Per analizzare questi aspetti, attraverso l'analisi di alcuni casi studio significativi, è stata condotta una indagine, tramite interviste, rivolta ad aziende che hanno fondato un museo d'impresa, con l'obiettivo di comprendere la storia e i fattori che hanno spinto alla creazione del museo, oltre a valutare i costi necessari per la sua istituzione e gestione nel tempo. Un'attenzione particolare è stata dedicata all'indagine dei valori che ciascun museo analizzato intende trasmettere e alle attività svolte al suo interno, al fine di valutare il ruolo che il museo riveste nel processo di valorizzazione del patrimonio industriale e dello sviluppo territoriale. Infine, sono state esplorate le prospettive future del museo, tenendo conto delle attuali sfide e delle opportunità che caratterizzano il settore culturale. Le informazioni raccolte hanno permesso di elaborare una visione completa e dettagliata del ruolo che i musei d'impresa sono chiamati a svolgere nell'ambito della valorizzazione della cultura e dei valori aziendali, nonché nello sviluppo socioculturale del territorio in cui operano.Corporate museums blend history, technology, and innovation to narrate the impact of businesses and industries on society, culture, and the economy of a region. Unlike traditional museums, their value lies not only in the exhibited artifacts but in the message and experience they convey. Each corporate museum is unique, as it tells an exclusive entrepreneurial story, serving various roles from celebrating company events to providing communication and entrepreneurial education services. They contribute to promoting corporate social responsibility and cultural identity. Yet, they face financial, managerial, and technological challenges requiring innovative approaches for long-term sustainability. This study, based on significant case studies and interviews with founding companies, analyzes the history, costs, and values of these museums, highlighting their pivotal role in cultural preservation and regional development among contemporary challenges