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This paper aims to assess to what extent deterioration of Italy's trade competitiveness in manufacturing over the decade 1993–2004 has been determined by the evolution of localised comparative advantages in knowledge based industries. Stressing Kaldor's idea of dynamic increasing returns in manufacturing industries, we adopted a spatial econometric approach in order to account for the role of geographical proximity in facilitating the exchange of knowledge flows. We estimated a canonical regional export demand function for the 103 NUTS 3 explicitly introducing specialization in high-tech goods. Export competitiveness is shown to be deeply rooted at the local level with the role of knowledge-based competitiveness declining in the centre and north and world demand remaining the only engine of export growth in the south. Resumen. Este artículo se centra en evaluar hasta que punto el deterioro de la competitividad comercial italiana en productos manufacturados en la década 1993–2004 ha estado determinado por la evolución de ventajas comparativas locales en industrias basadas en conocimiento. Con un énfasis en la idea de Kaldor de rendimientos crecientes dinámicos en industrias manufactureras, adoptamos un enfoque econométrico espacial para tomar en cuenta el papel de la proximidad geográfica en facilitar el intercambio de flujos de conocimiento. Estimamos una función de demanda de exportación regional canónica para las 103 NUTS 3, introduciendo explícitamente una especialización en productos de alta tecnología. Se muestra que la competitividad en la exportación está profundamente enraizada a nivel local con el papel de la competitividad basada en conocimiento disminuyendo en el centro y el norte y siendo la demanda mundial el único motor que queda de crecimiento de la exportación en el sur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing scholars' attention toward green innovation, on the one hand, and family firms, on the other hand, there is still limited attention toward the intersection of these two streams of literature, because very few studies deal with green innovation in family firms. This paper aims at comparing family and nonfamily small firms in their approach to green innovation. To this aim, a multiple case studies methodology was used to understand whether and in which aspects family firms and nonfamily firms differ. In particular, a sample of 14 small enterprises (seven family and seven nonfamily firms) operating in the agri‐food industry and located in Italy was studied. Results suggest that family and nonfamily firms are similar with regard to green innovation characteristics, features of the green innovation process, faced challenges, and achieved outcomes. On the contrary, family firms differ from nonfamily firms in three key areas: firm's motivations, most relevant pressures, and green innovation view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a two-region two-sector model of uneven development, where technological change benefits either the lagging or the leading region. In this framework interregional transfers may lead to persistent underdevelopment; by raising wages, transfers reduce the chance of the backward region adopting a new technology and taking off. Due to uncertainty about which region benefits from technological change, the backward region may rationally choose to remain underdeveloped, while the advanced region continues to pay transfers. The model provides a rationale for cases, such as Italy's Mezzogiorno, where the same rich region subsidizes the same poor region on a continuous basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research is to investigate whether the structure of knowledge networks and the variety of the local industrial structure are important for regional innovation and if the interplay between these two forces has an additional effect on local innovativeness. The research analyses co‐patenting collaborations at firm level in the Italian provinces in three five‐year intervals in the period 2001–2016. Results show that the structure of knowledge networks and agglomeration economies of inventors boost local inventive capacity. It also highlights how these forces have an increasing impact on innovation as the variety of the area increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]