The Italian Connection

The family may be central to Italian business life, but many economists believe that nepotism, the exploitation of family ties in the job market, is holding back the world’s tenth largest economy.

Ed Butler investigates whether it’s a case of “who you know” not “what you know” when it comes to getting a job – whether in commercial banks or in state-run Universities. For many graduates the answer is obvious. It’s all about your connections, knowing the right people, that will guarantee your future career, and many are opting to leave the country in pursuit of better opportunities abroad.

Produced by Ed Butler

(Image of Italian students. Credit AFP/Getty Images)