The Strategic Role of Middle Managers in Driving Innovative projects: a Comparative Analysis of Managerial and Family-Owned Firms in Italy.

This thesis explores the strategic role and involvement of Middle Managers (MM) in fostering innovation within managerial and family-owned manufacturing companies in Italy. The study begins with a theoretical framework that emphasizes the critical influence of Middle Managers on innovation and strategic transformation. It then presents a comprehensive analysis based on qualitative and quantitative data collected through semi-structured interviews with top and middle managers from various Italian manufacturing firms. The primary objective of this research is to understand how Middle Managers contribute to strategic changes and innovation within their organizations. By comparing managerial and family-owned companies, the study identifies key factors that influence the behavior and effectiveness of Middle Managers in driving innovation. The comparison has the aim of revealing distinct dynamics and challenges faced by each governance model, highlighting how the frequency of innovative projects differ between managerial and family-owned enterprises. This research provides valuable insights into the strategic importance of Middle Managers and their pivotal role in enhancing the innovative capabilities of manufacturing companies.