Innovation in Collaboration between Firms and Nonprofit Organizations: The Italian Case

The work is focused on recent development in th e relationship between the firms and nonprofit organizations in Italy. In this relationship successful companies are the ones able to operate in a proactive logic in the framework of their own community. In particular the work studied, throughout different way of analysis, state - of - the - art of partnerships in Italy, reasons for partnerships, their strengths and weaknesses and ways to make them effective and long - lasting, to promote virtuous circles and contaminations in both directions (from profit to nonpro fit and inversely). The collaboration between for - profit and nonprofit has still ample margins for growth and improvement in Italy, both in quantity and quality, and especially in the creation of real social - oriented businesses. This alliance isn't only th e acceptance of a system of ethics but is also the effect of a process of mutual contamination. It involves value systems and the growth of shared processes and organization structures, through a path in which the two cultures can meet influencing each oth er, developing relationship networks, competence sharing and so creating social capital.