IRISS is an institute of the Italian National Research Council (CNR), and it was established in 2014 as a result of the merger of the Institute for Service Industry Research (IRAT) and the Institute for International Legal Studies (ISGI), both of which were founded in the early 80s. The Institute’s mission is the study of innovation and services designed to support the development of the international competitiveness of firms and territories, two contexts in which economic, cultural and social value is generated. The research topics are developed according to a systemic and interdisciplinary approach that integrates economic/business, urban planning and management and legal perspectives that cross-cut all the research interests of the Institute.
The main research topics of IRISS are organized in the following macro-areas: Innovation and competitive advantage, Place-based strategies and policies for local development, and Migrations and development.
Over the years, the Institute has promoted and organized many higher education programs within national research projects. To support youth employment, IRISS has carried out not only placement activity but also scouting and support activities in facilitating self-entrepreneurship.
A large group of core institutions characterizes the current collaboration network of IRISS. (Italian and foreign Universities, research institutions, public and private organizations, NGO), with which the Institute has established profitable and long-term relationships. The institute can activate actors at the local/regional level during lobby meetings and international events:
- The prefecture of Naples (who is responsible for disaster management in the metropolitan area of Naples)
- Municipality of Naples
- Port Authority of Naples
- Civil Protection Agency of the Campania Region
- Local NGOs