Inter-firm cooperation as strategic element to get a sustainable competitive advantage in rural tourism: network contract "Green-Road"

Objectives: the paper aims at analyzing the strategic validity of Italian contractual network in order to define a new business model for contemporary companies belonging to the tourist, agri-food and crafts sectors. Methodology: the qualitative methodology is used with a one-case study in depth. The data are collected through semi-structured interviews in depth, observations. Findings: the present research is the first step of an extended study on territorial regional, national and international levels. Research limits: limitations are due to the restricted data used in the present phase of the research. Practical implications: the paper aims at integrating existing literature for academic community and decision makers. Originality of the study: the research represents essential characteristics of Italian contractual network, by emphasizing its framework and validity, in order to recognize an innovative business model in increasing the tourist, agri-food and crafts companies competition on the global market.