Introduction or preface

- The years to come are going to be very complex for global economies, a true challenge for industrial policy and corporate decisions. The first priority has been to ensure financial stability and to mitigate the credit crunch effects on economies, but a new strategic issue has to be put rapidly in place: the public rescue policy for economies and corporates. All measures must be taken to avoid the disruption of societies and economies, and this effort needs to be coordinated at the European and international level. In the short term, Italian industries will be less affected due to a higher flexibility and a less procyclical banking effect, but they will be very vulnerable in the long run because of the fragility of the corporate structure. More than other countries, Italy needs rapid action and a strategic political approach. Research and innovation are a must, and universities have to play a leading role in this phase.Keywords: recession, credit crunch, supply chain, business models, R&D policies, industrial PoliciesParole chiave: recessione, restrizione del credito, filiera, modelli di business, politiche di R&S, politiche industrialiJEL Classification: L25