When the founding members established CSIL in 1980 in Milan, they were inspired by the vision of the distinguished economists and entrepreneurs with whom they had been working.
Several of CSIL’s founding members and collaborators were students at ISTAO, the Adriano Olivetti Institute based in Ancona. Founded by Giorgio Fuà (1919-2000), ISTAO is one of the most prestigious schools of applied economics and business management operating in Italy. CSIL intellectual roots rely on Fuà’s ideas of economic development. They combine a Schumpeterian vision of development with the intuition that entrepreneurship results from a complex interaction between social, cultural, and political factors. This informs CSIL’s interest in industrial clusters, entrepreneurship dynamics, and economic development.
CSIL was also inspired by the entrepreneurial mindset of Alberto Zevi (1920-1993), one of its founding members. From him, CSIL inherited the vision that innovation is a never-ending process made of observation, imitation, and creative adaptation. In the delivery of its services, CSIL always strives for the valued ingredient of first-hand experience.
From both Fuà and Zevi, CSIL derived its cosmopolitan vocation. From a starting point in the thriving SME industrial context of Brianza (north of Milan), CSIL’s activities now extend worldwide and in a wide range of sectors. CSIL works with a global outlook, seeking differences and similarities, best practices, and world-class knowledge to be transferred where it is most needed.
Today, CSIL is a centre of excellence with a strong reputation for reliability and intellectual integrity.
CSIL specialises in applied economic research with specific expertise in SME competitiveness and market analysis, industrial and innovation policies, and regional development.
CSIL’s mission is to provide tailor-made solutions to private and public clients, relying on sound analytical capacity and ensuring a global and independent perspective. CSIL’s ultimate goal is to provide the most up to date, valuable, and practical knowledge base for effective strategic decision-making. More specifically:
We are problem solvers. We are dedicated to providing useful answers. Our conclusions are evidence-based. We endorse an empirical and experimental perspective with a concrete approach. Our activities are driven by the search for hard facts and a genuine passion for understanding growth and innovation processes.
We are a trustworthy partner. We are committed and always deliver our promise. We co-create with our partners. We share knowledge with them and engage in close and open dialogue to offer a tailored solution. We are ambitious in our suggestions but never forget feasibility. We learn from all our clients.
We are risk-taking and versatile. We love exploring new frontiers, implementing innovative approaches, and undertaking challenging tasks that stretch our abilities. Our team encompasses a wide range of academic backgrounds, expertise, skills, and professional experience. We approach new challenges with curiosity and courage.
We are knowledge-based. We base our work on solid analytical capacities. We continuously invest in learning and capacity building. We have strong connections with universities and research institutions. We are affiliated with various scientific and professional associations and networks, which allows us to employ state-of-the-art knowledge and expertise.
Amico Michela
Banfi Sara
Caputo Alessandra
Castellina Giovanna
Catalano Gelsomina
Cocco-Ordini Jone
Cheri Donatella
Colnot Louis
Colautti Sara
De Carli Laura
Delponte Laura
Florio Massimo
Giffoni Francesco
Govoni Paola
Grigolini Matteo
Marcati Alberto
Marseglia Rita
Mura Manuela
Pancotti Chiara
Paoletti Sara
Pedralli Matteo
Pelizzari Stefania
Pellegrin Julie
Peracchi Franco
Pettenella Davide
Pisa Cecilia
Pugliese Chiara Stella
Riga Giuseppe
Sirtori Emanuela
Spinelli Mauro
Taveggia Giulia
Tracogna Alessandra
Trentini Pieralberto
Tropeano Dario
Vignetti Silvia
Volpe Aurelio
Weichenberger Sylvia
Zevi Elisabetta
Last update: December 2023