The performance of Italian medium-sized enterprises: agency theory and resource-based view

The aim of this study is to verify which variables significantly affect the good performance of Italian manufacturing MSEs, according to the agency theory and the resource-based theory, as complementary theories, consistent with Hirsch et al. (1987) and Eisenhardt (1989). A typology approach is proposed, that distinguishes MSEs in three classes according to the number of workers, and through which it is possible to compare the effect of independent variables on corporate performance, in order to verify if significant differences exist among three typologies. The paper employs the statistical archival research, with focus on active Italian MSEs, operating in the manufacturing sectors, characterized by a Return On Assets greater than 10% in 2014 and 2015