Dinamica delle relazioni intersettoriali tra piccole e medie imprese: il caso del Nord Sardegna

This study aims to identify limits and possibilities in developing an organizational model based on inter-organizational and cross sectorial relations between SME. We consider this model is able to promote innovative paths for the development of Sardinia’s SME. The work is divided into three parts. The first focuses on the analysis of dominant organizational theories and approaches to the study of inter-organizational relationships: the aim is to reconstruct the theoretical origins of the concept of “network”. The second analyzes the concept of network, examining the main structural network characteristics, advantages and limitations. In the third part, an empirical investigation - explanatory in purpose – is carried on by adopting the methodology of qualitative research. Our aim is to verify “what idea and what network model” is has been developing in the North of Sardinia. Two the objects of our research: SMEs, belonging to important sectors in the Sardinian economy (in particular, tourism, agriculture, craft); the first stage of developing of inter-organizational and cross sectorial relationships among their. The sample was identified according to non-probabilistic sampling technique, while the research was conducted by using semi-structured interviews to the owners or managers of the selected companies. The survey results confirm that the network represents a valid tool for Sardinian SMEs development and growth.