Italy’s rich history and culture can drive innovation, yet these resources are often underused. This is particularly true for family-owned businesses, deeply rooted in local communities, which are central to Italy’s economy. International studies highlight how Italian firms turn tradition into innovative products, helping them stand out even with limited technological or economic resources. The “Made in Italy” brand, synonymous with craftsmanship, design, and excellence, reflects the value of cultural and historical heritage.

The research project “Tradition-driven Innovation: Historical and cultural heritage as a source of innovation for Italian firms”, funded under the PRIN 2022 programme, explores how Italian companies transform their historical and cultural roots into drivers of innovation.

In this project, researchers from three Italian universities – Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI), Libera Università di Bolzano (UNIBZ), and Università di Roma LUMSA (LUMSA) – collaborate to better understand Italian firms’ ability to harness historical and cultural heritage for innovation, addressing three main research questions:

• What is the impact of historical and cultural heritage on innovation in private Italian firms?
• Which organizational processes and capabilities do explain firms’ more or less successful use of historical and cultural heritage for innovation?
• Which contingencies influence the successful use of historical and cultural heritage for innovation?

The study examines a sample of 2,500 Italian companies in sectors representative of the “Made in Italy” brand. Researchers combine interviews, observations, and focus groups to build theory, and surveys and quantitative analysis to test findings.

By revealing how Italian firms transform history and culture into innovation, the project provides insights into family vs. non-family businesses, organizational factors, and opportunities for collaboration between business and cultural sectors.