EVALUATING STRATEGIC DECISIONS BETWEEN REVENUE AND VALUE. THE OUTLOOK FOR THE TERMINI IMERESE INDUSTRIAL SITE

The aim of the paper is to provide an interpretative scheme of the micro-macro interactions which, bearing in mind two perspectives (business oriented and ethic driven), underlines how by taking the ethical path, decisions taken have an effect on income and on business’ viability. This provides a starting point for elaborating on the theme of reconciling business viability and social expectations which in some cases can prove problematic when it comes to management choices. Finally, the paper attempts to define a clear demarcation line regarding entrepreneurial responsibility, beyond which businesses must never venture even if this entails harming the viability of the firm. The empirical case represents an emblematic example of how, when facing an emerging problem where it is difficult to reconcile business viability with social expectations, there are various possible solutions ranging from shareholder-driven choices to stakeholder oriented choices. That of Fiat’s CEO seems to have been a choice mainly oriented at safeguarding the owners’ interests rather than those of the stakeholders within the relational context of Termini Imerese.