“Wealth Grows from the Sea: A Case Study of the Saltworks in Trapani, Sicily”

ABSTRACT: This paper explores the relationship between family business practices, the natural environment, and accounting processes through the case of SOSALT, a family-owned saltworks in Trapani, Sicily, that has operated since the fifteenth century. Rooted in the Mediterranean’s historical connection to the sea, the study examines how value is generated from natural resources and how strategic, financial, and operational decisions change over time. Using Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as the main theoretical framework, the research emphasizes the roles of both human and non-human actors, including natural forces, family governance, government regulations, and markets, in shaping business practices and accounting. Based on archival sources, corporate documents, accounting reports, and semi-structured interviews, the study reconstructs the D’Alì family’s business history, demonstrating how environmental conditions, local culture, and institutional pressures influence organizational choices. The findings reveal that accounting is not just a tool for measurement, but a dynamic process embedded in relational networks that reflect the interdependence of business, society, and nature. This case provides insights into the broader importance of resilience, family governance, and environmental integration in accounting and financial practices.