ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to study the laws of motion of the milieu, its ability to react to radical changes, its trajectories of evolution, drawing some theoretical hypotheses of dynamic behaviour from empirical research carried out in three Italian areas specialised in footwear. These are Montebelluna, Riviera del Brenta and Marches. The chapter explains the theoretical framework for analysing the dynamics of milieu and presents some background information on the evolution of the Italian footwear industry. It analyses the reactions of the three areas studied to the radical changes identified. The chapter examines the different answers given by the two main contrary typologies of sub-systems: the progressive and the regressive coalition, but also by a third marginal typology of innovative behaviour, the niche hunters. The free-riders’ resistance to change may evolve into a regressive coalition which may hamper the innovative process in the production system through several mechanisms.
