On November 5th, 2025, the Seminar “Mafia and Firm Performance” was held at the Department of Law, Economics and Human Sciences (DIGIES) of the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria. The event was organized by Professor Domenico Nicolò, scientific coordinator of the Mediterranean research unit within the PRIN 2022 PNRR project “The Effect of Organized Crime on Firm Technical Efficiency and R&D Investments”, coordinated by Professor Carlo Migliardo of the University of Messina, with the participation of the research unit of the University “Dante Alighieri”, directed by Professor Salvatore Loprevite.
The lecture hall was filled with students, faculty members, professionals, and representatives of civil society, demonstrating the widespread interest and sensitivity toward a topic that is crucial for the economic development of the region.
During the meeting, the results of two years of research were presented, analyzing the effects of organized crime on firms in terms of efficiency, profitability, innovation capacity, and investments in research and development. Particular attention was devoted to companies under judicial administration, family businesses, high-growth startups (“gazelles”), and the credit access challenges faced by firms operating in mafia-influenced areas. The research unit from the University of Messina also developed a composite indicator to measure mafia presence at the municipal level.
The seminar was opened by the Rector of the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Professor Giuseppe Zimbalatti, the Delegate for Research, Professor Massimo Lauria, and the Director of DIGIES, Professor Massimo Finocchiaro Castro, who emphasized the strategic importance of producing and disseminating scientific knowledge on the mafia phenomenon to support public policy and the education of students — the future leadership class of the country.
Professor Claudio Teodori (University of Brescia, President of SIDREA) highlighted the significant contribution of this research to the field of business and economic studies. Her Excellency Prefect Clara Vaccaro of Reggio Calabria discussed the issue of mafia infiltration in the local economy and the importance of establishing an entrepreneurship school in the area. The Metropolitan Mayor, Giuseppe Falcomatà, stressed the relevance of the study for a territory burdened by a strong mafia presence. Public Prosecutor Giuseppe Borrelli underlined the usefulness of the research presented, noting how the mafia generates wealth that, however, does not produce genuine development. Dr. Luciano Caridi from the National Agency for the Administration and Destination of Seized and Confiscated Assets (ANBSC) presented data on confiscated companies in Italy and highlighted the critical issues in their management, as they often reach confiscation in a state of irreversible crisis. Also speaking were Dr. Antonino Tramontana, President of the Chamber of Commerce, and Eng. Domenico Vecchio, President of Confindustria Reggio Calabria, who discussed the effects of organized crime on the productive system and the actions undertaken to support legitimate enterprises.
In the session dedicated to research findings, Professors Carlo Migliardo and Antonio F. Forgione presented the main contributions of the PRIN PNRR project, focusing in particular on the composite indicator of mafia presence estimated at the municipal level and on the effects of criminality on credit access. Professor Fabio La Rosa (University of Catania) contextualized the research within the national framework of business studies on organized crime. Professor Domenico Nicolò then presented his monograph “Mafia and Firm Performance. The Effect of Organized Crime and Its Removal”, recently published in the peer-reviewed and AIDEA-accredited series by FrancoAngeli. The presentation was made together with Professor Daniela Mancini, editor of the series, who highlighted the book’s significant contribution to business studies on this topic.
In the final part of the seminar, Professors Vincenza Caracciolo La Grotteria, Nico D’Ascola, Giorgio Fontana, and Marcella Scrimitore illustrated the developments of their respective research lines conducted within the Mediterranean unit of the PRIN PNRR project. Professor Salvatore Loprevite presented a study on the effects of mafia presence on control systems in SMEs. Professor Sabina De Rosis, together with Professor Nicolò, discussed research on the impact of institutional effectiveness and territorial innovation on the performance of high-growth nonprofit and social startups.
The seminar concluded with remarks by Professor Massimo Finocchiaro Castro, who underscored the importance of the research presented and the need to strengthen dialogue among academia, institutions, and businesses to promote legality and development.
