Netzwerkökonomie und Kultur. Sozio-kulturelle Bedingungen innovativer Netzwerke. Eine empirische Untersuchung im "Dritten Italien"

Within the debate about the characteristics and the consequences of the globalised economy, neoregionalism opposes the argument that regional and local factors are losing their importance. In fact, the path of economic development in a number of regions from all over the world has demonstrated that the way enterprises are embedded in their region can definitely be turned into an advantage of competition.As different approaches like the milieu innovateur, the industrial district, the flexible specialisation and the social capital show as regards the regions of the "Third Italy", two factors are determinant for the economic performance of these regions: on the one hand the networking of the economic players with each other and with other regional agents, on the other hand the regional socio-cultural conditions which shape a networking mentality represented by particular business practices, routines and customs. In this thesis first the structure and governance of the chosen networks of enterprises are analysed in an empirical research. Secondly the patterns of interaction, action, thinking, and interpretation of Veneto entrepreneurs are compared with those of an ideal type of network participants demonstrating the numerous silimarities and some particularities. Finally, the characteristics of the culture that favours the network economy are deduced from the case study. The conclusions indicate that the "network culture" is characterised by a set of dimensions of culture developed within the intercultural management, such as an optimistic view of human nature, a polychronic time concept, an indirect communication style, a low power distance, collectivism, particularism, diffusion, neutrality, an achieved social status, and strong work ethics.