In his writings Luciano Gallino presented the historical figure and the entrepreneurial role of Adriano Olivetti as the creator of the pattern of a "responsible firm" (i.e. a kind of firm strongly devoted to the principles of corporate social responsibility, very sensitive to the rights of its workers, to the links with the local community and to the quality of the environment). The reference to the historical experience of the Olivetti in the Fities was deployed by Gallino to nurture his harsh critique of the "irresponsible" companies of our age. This article aims to verify and discuss the historical basis of Gallino’s view.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship, business history, industrial relations.