Running a business is a constant obstacle course. It is not just a matter of the natural financial, operational and organisational commitment required to tackle the daily challenges of the market. There are other obstacles to competitiveness that hamper business activity, caused by an inefficient national system: shortcomings in both physical and intangible infrastructure, and a jungle of regulations. Above all, bureaucracy and its red tape. These issues have been weighing heavily for far too long, to the point of causing frustration and, at times, despondency. As is well known, a significant proportion of the business community consists of family-run businesses, where management falls within the family sphere. In such organisations, it is the owner or a relative who deals directly with the bureaucratic paperwork, which illustrates the concentration of functions that occurs within these businesses. It is in the more structured businesses that we see this burden being offloaded and delegated to an employee (who, in turn, however, takes time away from other duties). Ultimately, bureaucratic procedures constitute a burden that is inversely proportional to the size of the business. Such businesses would therefore require greater assistance in the form of support, on the one hand, but above all through the simplification of procedures, on the other. These few considerations alone illustrate and explain the frustration felt by businesses towards a bureaucracy that diverts time and resources away from productive activities.
Better interaction between the business world and the public administration is not a pipe dream, but can become a realistic goal. Some steps have already been taken: consider, for example, self-certification, the establishment of the one-stop shop, and the introduction of new technologies to make it easier for users to access information and carry out administrative procedures online. However, much remains to be done, particularly with regard to aspects relating to the organisation of the public ‘apparatus’: a lack of interaction and synergy between individual departments, slow bureaucratic procedures, and a lack of tailored solutions for individual businesses. The findings of the survey carried out amongst entrepreneurs in Treviso (Community Media Research for Unindustria Treviso) highlight, however, some previously unrecorded and unexpected aspects, which signal the start of a new era in relations between businesses and the public administration (PA). Certainly, there is no shortage of striking and perverse situations that businesses have to endure, and which are rightly the subject of complaints. However, among the majority of the entrepreneurs surveyed, the attitude towards the PA is sufficiently positive – certainly not enthusiastic, but not hostile either. The paradigm shift in development requires us to consider the relationship with the PA from a different perspective. This begins with a shift in cultural perspective, which the entrepreneurs themselves emphasise: through the promotion of a culture of legality and ethical behaviour, first and foremost within businesses; moving from protest to proposals and action; and viewing the PA as a lever for competitiveness. In short, by viewing it as an infrastructure for development. Indeed, a well-functioning bureaucracy is essential for transparency and the proper functioning of the market. Yet for too long, there has been a lack of investment in the training of civil servants. The business sector itself has kept its distance, leaving the task exclusively to the political sphere. Now, the Renzi Government’s enabling bill, approved in August, has set in motion the process of reforming the public administration at central level, but initiatives can also be undertaken at a local level. First and foremost, whilst respecting each other’s roles, we must seek mutual communication and greater understanding between the various parties. A cultural shift is needed both within the public administration (among civil servants) and in relation to it (on the part of business leaders). Thus, despite all the challenges, the research reveals a desire for dialogue. The aim is to create a public administration friendly for businesses and citizens. For this reason, it must be designed as an infrastructure for development, a driver of competitiveness, in which businesses too must commit to forging a new pact, as proposed by Maria Cristina Piovesana, president of the Treviso Industrialists’ Association. By investing in the public administration, we are capitalising on the future and on the competitiveness of businesses and the country.
Daniele Marini
