Non-Profit Organizations as Facilitators of the Sustainable Social Innovation of Firms: An Italian Case Study

Non-profit organizations (NPOs) are becoming top players in the business arena and can significantly contribute to socially sustainable development by leading several open innovation (OI) processes. The present study investigated functioning of an NPO (ELIS, based Rome, Italy), that acts as intermediary a large consortium enterprises. By adopting mixed-method approach, key aspects related NPO’s organizational culture, OI management process within consortium, well leadership skills values were among 77 employees 8 managers NPO. Results showed managers’ approach OI, teamwork, market challenges affected ability produce members. Moreover, empowering leadership, culture trust mistake acceptance highly valued view effective performance. contributes current literature highlighting conditional factors capability create with enterprises, push them toward societal change. Implications for have been discussed.