Come cambiano e dove stanno andando le associazioni di categoria

Over the past twenty years, trade associations in Italy have faced a deep crisis of representation, compounded by globalization, digitalization, and health and economic crises. Despite declining membership and the need to reinvent themselves, these organizations remain in a crucial position as intermediaries between businesses, society, and institutions. However, their ability to adapt is challenged by outdated organizational models and mindsets often anchored in the past. Looking ahead, associations must evolve into agents of development, capable of offering innovative services and maintaining strong connections with their members, responding flexibly to changes in the market and society. This research identifies three possible scenarios for the future of these organizations: associations as indispensable entities, organizations in structural crisis, or modernized entities that remain formally unchanged.