What lies behind the success of Italian GIs products? Questioning tradition in consortia via aggregated conditional efficiency

Firms and territories are considered extremely interrelated, especially approaching the market of agri-food products detaining the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) labels. By aiming at reducing costs and simultaneously exploiting potential benefits, entrepreneurial realities often collaborate through consortia. This aspect takes on a crucial relevance when considering the Italian context, widely known for its high-quality products, the vocation to cooperate, and the high adaptability to insidious locations. In this light, this study assesses the efficiency level of in-the-consortia Italian firms by conditioning for two external factors affecting the input–output process evaluated, i.e. physical riskiness and vocation to cooperate. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) scores are aggregated by using firms’ membership in the consortia as the DEA aggregation criterion. More than 600 firms aggregated in 50 consortia allow for a capillary and locally-based study over the 2011–2020 period. The study signals tips about geographical concentration and proximity since it tests whether tradition and attitude to cooperate motivate the agri-food industry efficiency level, in line with the historical regional background of these organizational forms. Finally, suggestions to exploit the market of certified products are discussed both for policy-makers and practitioners, as well as new opportunities for future research.