Ruolo e funzioni dell'associazionismo datoriale nella nuova geografia del lavoro: il caso CONFIMI - APINDUSTRIA Bergamo

Abstract

The paper deals with the theme of the role and functions of employer associations in the new geography of work, which is becoming more and more local. The Italian economic system, in fact, is characterized by its strong territorial connotation, which inevitably influenced the geography of work. The territorial characterization is paradoxically emphasized by globalization and economic digitalization, that have enhanced the local dimension through the creation of human ecosystems, locally delineated, linked to each other by global networks. Having the tension between these two geographic dimensions, the doctrine has argued that it could be managed through territorial representation. The more reason it would be valid for social representation and labor. In particular, given the type of interest represented, it is believed that local government representation might be able to favor what is claimed in the literature. To this end, the survey looks at a particular local association reality - Confimi Apindustria Bergamo – by means of describing its role and functions in industrial and work relations. Furthermore, it could be done by verifying whether it is capable of fostering this link between the global dimension and the territorial. The research results show that a territorial employer's association operates in various branches of industrial and labor relations (local alliances, public bodies, services’ provision in the realm of the employment relations, national and decentralized collective bargaining, bilateralism and active labour policies). However, at the same time, from all of these areas what actually emerges is the capability to interconnect various economic and socio-political actors (public and private), operating locally. Another capability that is emphasized is to vertically link the territory to the national level to distinguish it from any other subject operating in this field. Its very potential allows it to be able not only to create a link between the global and the local dimension, but also between the latter and the national one. Despite the internationalization and digitization of the economy, the national dimension still represents an important geographical level for the Italian economic system and industrial relations system.