Thesis title: Economia del mare tra turismo e food
The growing focus on sustainable economic and production models has fostered the emergence of the Blue Economy as an integrated approach to marine resource protection and the transformation of business practices in enterprises that base their activities on the sea. In this context, the firm emerges as a central actor capable of driving a sustainable transition, not only by mitigating environmental impacts, but also as a complex, dynamic, and open system. It can crystallize the value generated for multiple stakeholders and serve as a hub for innovation, value creation, and socially responsible behaviour aimed at generating economic, environmental, and social value. Building on the theoretical framework of the firm as a system, sustainable business models, and the Blue Economy, this thesis identifies intellectual capital, digitalization, smart technologies, and ESG-oriented sustainability as emerging factors acting as strategic levers for sustainable value creation in the tourism and fisheries sectors (food), both considered strategic within the Blue Economy.
The thesis adopts a qualitative, exploratory methodology based on a multiple case study approach. Two representative case studies were selected based on their economic relevance and strategic role within the maritime supply chain of the Gulf of Gaeta. The analysis was developed through a research protocol combining primary sources (semi-structured interviews and company visits with direct observation of production processes) and secondary sources (corporate documents). The thesis is structured into three main sections: a theoretical framework, the analysis of emerging strategic factors, and an empirical investigation of the selected cases. The research concludes with the development of a “multi-value” model and the proposal of operational guidelines for companies, aimed at enhancing key elements of the Blue Economy supply chain and fostering business growth.
The empirical analysis highlights both differences and convergences between the two cases, emphasizing the importance of intangible assets in business legitimacy and competitive growth. The “human” and “relational” dimensions of intellectual capital appear to be fundamental in both sectors of the Blue Economy. Sectoral differences emerge in the use of digitalization and smart technologies: in tourism, these are more widely adopted, while in the fisheries sector their application is mostly limited to administrative management. Finally, both companies demonstrate awareness of environmental and social sustainability, whereas governance practices appear less developed. Based on the empirical findings, a “multi-value” model was developed which, in addition to providing a theoretical contribution, offers practical guidelines to support SMEs in the Blue Economy in generating long-term value.
This study presents relevant theoretical and practical implications. On the one hand, it contributes to the theoretical development of the emerging factors analyzed; on the other hand, it offers practical guidance for key stakeholders in the Blue Economy, including entrepreneurs, policy makers, and other actors, in integrating these elements into business models, with a specific focus on value creation and strategic alignment with ESG parameters.
Finally, the research contributes to the literature by offering an original perspective on the role that the identified emerging factors play in the business models of the Blue Economy. The combination of theoretical framing, empirical analysis, and operational proposals represents an innovative contribution to a field that still requires further exploration from a business and managerial standpoint.