I study how organizations shape the institutional landscapes in which they operate. My research examines the growing capacity of firms, foundations, and universities to influence economic trajectories, civic life, and the governance arrangements that structure collective action. This phenomenon—what I call corporate statecraft—captures how non-state actors participate in building, steering, and sometimes redefining the institutional orders of their communities.
Corporate Statecraft refers to the capability of non-state actors — such as firms, foundations, and private universities, whether operating under for-profit or non-profit models — to shape and steer the economic and institutional order of their communities of reference, from local ecosystems to global markets. This influence can be exercised both directly, through strategic engagement in governance and policy, and indirectly, through the diffusion of norms, resources, and practices. Much as statesmen traditionally conduct “statecraft” in diplomacy and governance, corporate statecraft captures how these organizations act as architects of institutional and developmental trajectories. In this sense, it denotes statecraft without the state — the practice through which corporations and other organized actors negotiate social contracts, construct or destabilize institutions, and exercise political-economic leadership within the contemporary political economy.
My work begins in the field. I spend time in places where institutional change can be observed directly: production districts structured by decades of industrial craft, metropolitan hubs experimenting with technology-driven growth, post-industrial cities seeking new strategies for economic and civic renewal, and companies extending their missions into social or political domains. Whether sitting in a municipal archive, walking a factory floor, or attending a meeting between business leaders and local officials, I study how decisions made inside organizations translate into institutional outcomes on the ground.
These sites serve as entry points into a broader comparative research program. Across countries and sectors, I investigate how organizations accumulate capabilities, coordinate stakeholders, set informal rules, and shape pathways of regional development. I examine how corporate strategies intersect with public initiatives, how institutional responsibilities shift over time, and how different configurations of actors respond to technological change, economic transitions, or local pressures.
Methodologically, my work integrates archival research, field observation, and institutional analysis. Historical materials reveal how governance ambitions and organizational strategies have developed across generations. Living-lab collaborations in Italy, the United States, and other regions allow me to observe contemporary institutional processes as they unfold, tracing how communities negotiate change and how coalitions are built. Comparative analysis helps identify recurring mechanisms—forms of coordination, capability building, institutional design, and rule-making—that appear across diverse contexts.
I am currently developing the prescriptive dimension of this research. My aim is to identify the boundary conditions, design principles, and organizational practices that influence when private actors contribute constructively to institutional development and when their involvement raises governance challenges. This involves synthesizing empirical work with institutional theory to articulate a framework capable of informing policymakers, business leaders, and civic organizations.
In a period marked by technological acceleration, shifting economic geographies, and pressures on traditional governance structures, understanding how institutions evolve—and who participates in shaping them—has become increasingly important. My research contributes to this understanding by examining the organizational strategies and institutional consequences that define corporate statecraft in the contemporary world.
Visit the website of the research: corporatestatecraft.com