Introduction and backgroud
R&I s.r.l. - Research and Projects on Industrial and Employment Policies - is a research institute founded in 1993 when the research division of Coop S.e.i. s.c.r.l. (research and active training firm since 1981) became autonomous. The professionals working for R&I s.r.l. at present are expert and senior researchers who have great experience in the field of economic research. Their curricula quote:
- sector observatories (monitoring);
- studies and observatories on industrial districts and SME clusters;
- studies on industrial sectors (such as biomedical, food, mechanical, textile and clothing, etc.);
- studies on the artisanate and small firms;
- studies on labour supply and demand;
- analysis of training needs;
- studies on the labour market;
- projects on professional guidance.
R&I is an economic research institute that carry out analysis and studies for the regional and local development policies.The institute is specialized in researches, studies and projects on industrial economy, labour markets and professional training. Many researches are focused on the analysis of the structural changes, innovation process and internationalisation of industrial districts and SMEs clusters.
The institute cooperates with Italian Universities (Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Unversità di Firenze, Università di Torino, ecc.) as well as foreign institutions (University of Boston, Hallam University of Sheffield, Universidad de Alicante, Universidad de Barcelona, Centre d'ètudes de l'emploi de Paris, etc.).
On a national and local level, the institute works for Public Authorities, Universities, Trade associations, Trade Unions, Research Institutes, ect..
Main research carried out
- 2011, The impact of the global crisis on the mechanical subcontracting firms in Emilia Romagna, promoted by Emilia Romagna Region and the University of Modena e Reggio Emilia. R&I s.r.l., with the cooperation of the University, determined the research methodology and instruments, carried out the interviews with entrepreneurs, elaborated the results and prepared the research report.
- 1990-2011, Observatory on the textile-clothing sector in the Carpi district, promoted and financed by the city of Carpi, the Province of Modena, and the Chamber of Commerce of Modena. R&I s.r.l., with the cooperation of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, determined the research methodology and instruments, coordinated ten fieldworks, on a panel of 300 firms, checked and validated the data, elaborated the results and prepared ten research reports.
- 2010, Structural changes in the artisan firms and training needs, promoted by Fondartigianato and the University of Modena e Reggio Emilia. R&I s.r.l., with the cooperation of the University, determined the research methodology and instruments, carried out the interviews with entrepreneurs and workers, elaborated the results and prepared four research reports on mechanical, wood, food sectors and green economy.
- 2006-2009, Metalnet – Analysis on mechanical industry in the province of Modena, promoted by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, financed by EU and the Italian Ministry for Employment, with the support of the Province of Modena. R&I s.r.l., with the cooperation of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, determined the research methodology and instruments, coordinated the fieldwork, on a panel of 400 firms, checked and validated the data, elaborated the results and prepared the research report.
- 2003-2006, Structural analysis for the monitoring of training needs, promoted by Sardinia Region. The structural analysis was carried out on four production and service sectors (cork industry, marble industry, logistics and transport, waste disposal) using significant samples on a regional level, for a total of 680 interviews with firms. R&I s.r.l. determined the research methodology and instruments, coordinated four research groups in charge of the fieldwork, checked and validated the data on the four sectors, elaborated the main results and prepared four research reports.
- 1997-2004, National research on training requirements in the field of artisanate, stage one-Structural analysis, requested by EBNA - National Artisanate Bilateral Body- and financed by the Italian Ministry for Employment. The structural analysis was carried out on eighteen production and service sectors in all Italian regions using significant samples on a regional level, for a total of 16,000 interviews with artisan firms. R&I s.r.l., with the cooperation of the Scientific Research Direction, determined the research methodology and instruments, coordinated twenty partners in charge of the other fieldwork, checked and validated the data on the eighteen sectors, elaborated the main results and prepared various research reports.
- 1998-2004, Observatory on the biomedical sector in the Mirandola district, promoted and financed by the city of Mirandola, the Province of Modena, and the Chamber of Commerce of Modena. R&I s.r.l., with the cooperation of the Scientific Direction of the Observatory , determined the research methodology and instruments, coordinated three fieldworks, checked and validated the data, elaborated the results and prepared three research reports.
- 1991-98, Observatory on the textile clothing sector in Emilia Romagna, requested and financed by Regione Emilia Romagna. R&I s.r.l. , with the co-operation of the Scientific Direction of the Observatory, determined the research methodology and instruments, coordinated four fieldworks, on a two-yearly basis, on a panel of 700 firms, checked and validated the data, elaborated the results and prepared four research reports
- 1994-95, National Observatory on the textile-clothing and footwear sector, characterized by the application of the same methodology used in Emilia Romagna and the Carpi district, through the activation of Observatories in various Italian regions (Lombardia, Veneto, Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Puglia, Molise, Campania). The project was commissioned by the National CNA (Confederazione Nazionale Artigianato = National Artisanate Confederation) and Confartigianato (Artisanate Confederation) backed by Filta, Filtea and Uilta, the three main Trade Unions of the textile clothing sector, financed by the EU, the Italian Ministry for Industry, and the national Unioncamere, the Italian Chambers of Commerce association. R&I s.r.l., with the cooperation of the Scientific Direction of research, determined the research methodology and instruments, coordinated the partners in charge of the other fieldwork, checked and validated the data from the nine regions, for a total of 6,000 firms interviewed, elaborated the results and prepared the national research report.
- 1995-96, Experimental application of the same research methodology in other textile areas in Europe, with a view to activating similar Observatories and to developing comparative analyses on the structure and dinamics of the textile-clothing sector in Europe. The areas taken into consideration are the following: Troyes in France, Leicester in England and Alicante in Spain with the cooperation of Local University and research
Institutes.