Why strategic networks often fail: Some empirical evidence from the area of Naples

•This paper examines the reasons for network failures in an Italian context.•Key determinants include previous experience and an awareness of a need for collaboration.•It is suggested these factors may also apply to other industries.

The literature on inter-firm collaboration primarily concentrates on successful cases and tries to explain why and how they obtained their success. On the other hand, there are fewer contributions that study the reasons for inter-firm relationships failure. This paper responds to that deficiency by providing evidence as to why inter-firm collaboration fails, and identifies processes where it is possible to pass from a difficult and complex relationship (where mutual trust is not notably present) to situations of recovery and re-positioning. Empirical evidence is presented from two specific areas in the Campania Region (Italy) to test a proposed theoretical model that identifies the importance of partners' previous experience and their awareness of the importance of inter-firm cooperation as determinants of the survival and success of the collaboration.