1,721,009 research outputs found
The Emilia-Romagna automotive industry in the global value chain
No full textThe paper analyses the automotive in Emilia-Romagna and the regional role of German manufacturers. The study is placed in the context of the global transformations that the sector has undergone from the Nineties on. During this period, substantial processes of reorganization of the social and geographical division of labour has taken place, and have directly and indirectly affected the traditional places of production, such as Emilia-Romagna. The work focuses on the current shape of the sector in the region on the macro and micro levels. First, an analysis of the sectoral trade flows between the region and other countries will be made. Second, a descriptive study on firm-level data drawn from an original database merging financial sheets and patenting data will be realized, with a specific focus on the comparison between Italian, German and other foreign manufacturers. The study suggests that Emilia-Romagna is substantially integrated, on the trade side, with eu12 and specifically Germany, and that German firms play a significant role in terms of employment and innovative activity in the region. It calls for further studies analysing in depth, with ad-hoc data collection, the relation between the local production chains and German actors to evaluate the dynamics of value creation
Who drives the automotive sector? Thailand selective policies
No full textPurpose: We critically analyse the case of selective industrial policies for automotive industry in Thailand. Approach: Founding on previous literature and official government documents, we describe the implemented policies, dividing them in four phases according to the main trend they followed. We suggest which results the policies have or have not reached by analysing the current state of the sector. Findings: Our main point is that selective policies implemented in the country were successful in helping the development of the sector as a whole, contributing to the role of Thailand as main actor in the international market. However, such policy initiatives were not able to solve some of the main issues of automotive sector in the country related to local development, such as the technology dependence on foreign (mainly Japanese) firms and the weakness of local suppliers
Industrial Policy in China: The Planned Growth of Specialised Towns in Guangdong Province
Full text linkWe analyse one of the most important policy experiences for industrial clustering in Southern China-the Specialised Towns programme-that has transformed some Chinese clusters into the backbone of global production chains. We offer a long-term, detailed overview of the policy programme and of Guangdong's specialised towns, classifying them as endogenous or exogenous according to their features, and investigate their contribution to local growth and rebalancing. This analysis of the Specialised Towns programme contributes to the international debate on revisiting industrial policy and suggests that the discussion should conceive them as articulated processes to reach long-term societal objectives
Getting the specialization right. Industrialization in Southern China in a sustainable development perspective
Full text linkInformation and communication technologies (ICT) are acknowledged as a powerful tool used to foster development and to broaden people’s agency. This being so, ICT are also the results of specific production processes. And, little attention has been given to the degree of sustainability that the places that are cur- rently in charge of producing ICT attain. In this framework, we investigate under what conditions special- izing in ICT products rewards a territory in terms of technological innovation and socially sustainable development. Our analysis focuses on the case of Dongguan city, China, which is a core area in the global production of ICT. Industrialization in this area has been mainly FDI-led and framed within a Province- level industrial specialization policy – the Specialized Towns program. We perform an empirical analysis based upon a unique township-level dataset covering several years (2000–2016). We then integrate the quantitative data with qualitative fieldwork information on Dongguan ICT-specialized townships. Our findings suggest that (1) specializing in ICT can pay in terms of innovative performances, provided it is supported by an institutional setting aimed at collectively promoting innovation, a sufficient degree of extra-cluster relations and a sufficiently high level of education of the population. (2) Social sustainability can be improved in ICT clusters by long experience in public involvement towards building collective action. Since many of these areas do not currently show to have reached such social and economic con- ditions, they risk being captured in a middle income-low development trap. Governments targeting ICT specialization should then focus also on devoting specific policy initiatives towards social inclusion.Information and communication technologies (ICT) are acknowledged as a powerful tool used to foster development and to broaden people's agency. This being so, ICT are also the results of specific production processes. And, little attention has been given to the degree of sustainability that the places that are currently in charge of producing ICT attain. In this framework, we investigate under what conditions specializing in ICT products rewards a territory in terms of technological innovation and socially sustainable development. Our analysis focuses on the case of Dongguan city, China, which is a core area in the global production of ICT. Industrialization in this area has been mainly FDI-led and framed within a Province-level industrial specialization policy – the Specialized Towns program. We perform an empirical analysis based upon a unique township-level dataset covering several years (2000–2016). We then integrate the quantitative data with qualitative fieldwork information on Dongguan ICT-specialized townships. Our findings suggest that (1) specializing in ICT can pay in terms of innovative performances, provided it is supported by an institutional setting aimed at collectively promoting innovation, a sufficient degree of extra-cluster relations and a sufficiently high level of education of the population. (2) Social sustainability can be improved in ICT clusters by long experience in public involvement towards building collective action. Since many of these areas do not currently show to have reached such social and economic conditions, they risk being captured in a middle income-low development trap. Governments targeting ICT specialization should then focus also on devoting specific policy initiatives towards social inclusion
Regional social context and FDI. An empirical investigation on Chinese acquisitions in Europe
No full textEuropean regions are characterized by different economic, technical and social conditions. Such differences might also explain the different strength of European regions in attracting foreign direct investments (FDI). Following recent strands of literature, in this paper we try to identify whether the presence of regional differences in the social context, once considering a set of regional characteristics related to the economic structure and innovative endowments, affects the location of multinational enteprises. To do so, we develop an empirical model using data on Chinese brownfield investments towards European regions. Our results confirm that social context overall matters in location choices, even if heterogeneous effects arise when taking into account technological differences in target sectors. Our evidence is useful in increasing the awareness of policymakers and of the academic debate on the necessity to consider possible spillover and backlash effects both of social policies and of FDI attraction initiatives
Investigating the linkages between industrial policies and M&A dynamics: Evidence from China
No full textMergers and acquisitions (M&As hereafter) have been widely examined in the economic and business literature under many perspectives. However, the industry-level view, specifically the relation between industrial policies and M&A waves at the sectoral level, has remained rather unexplored. This article contributes to fill this gap by empirically investigating the relation between selective industrial policies and M&A waves at the industry level in China. Referring to the four Five Year Plans covering the period 1996–2015, we explore whether being identified as an emerging sector in these plans generates positive or negative changes in the number of M&As. We reiterate the analysis according to the different types of M&As (vertical, horizontal or conglomerate) and the different natures of the acquirer (SOEs or private). Our results suggest that policies can differentially affect M&A waves according to the type of M&A. Moreover, while private firms are more responsive to both horizontal and vertical integration in emerging sectors, SOEs are more prone to engage in vertical M&As. We discuss the possible rationales behind the different behaviors. We also draw general policy implications on strategic industrial policy and market restructuring
Conceptualizing and measuring “industry resilience”: composite indicators for post-shock industrial policy decision-making
Full text linkCan resilience be a relevant concept for industrial policy? Resilience is usually described as the ability of a socioeconomic system to recover from unexpected shocks. While this concept has caught the attention of regional economics researchers seeking to understand the different patterns behind regional recovery after a disruption, it is increasingly recognized that resilience can have policy-relevant conceptual applications in many other regards. In this paper, we apply it to industries and define the “industry resilience” concept and measurements. Our contribution is twofold. Theoretically, we frame industry resilience as a useful conceptual framework for policy-making to support the selection of industrial policy targets that are more capable of recovering after unexpected shocks. In addition, industry resilience can mitigate government failures by supporting decision-makers in promoting both economically and socially sustainable structural change. Methodologically, building on post-2008 U.S. data, we develop two composite indicators (CIs) to separately analyze quantitative and qualitative postshock variations in sectoral employment. Such CIs support policy-makers in visualizing sectoral performances dynamically and multidimensionally and can be used to compare each sector both to other sectors and to its counterfactual. Our results highlight that sectors react heterogeneously to shocks. This points to the relevance of tailoring vertical industrial policies according to sector features and the aims of industrial policy initiatives
Industry Organization and Industrial Policy. Production and Innovation, Development and the Public Interest
No full textStarting from the traditional representations of the firm, this book discusses a va
-
riety of other industry organization models, looking not only at companies but also
at groups and networks. It also discusses how industry organization impacts on our
communities of people. Hence, the reading of industrial dynamics is always comple
-
mented with a discussion on policy implications and possible prescriptions. Emphasis
is placed on the pluralism of theories, on links with current events, and on economic
history. The book is addressed to students of economics and management but also -
including the introductory chapters containing basic tools for economic analysis - to
students of law, political and social studies, engineering, and the natural sciences
Propeller flaps in partial ear reconstruction: a case series
Full text linkBackground: Ear defect reconstruction still remains a surgical challenge today. Proper reconstruction should result in correction of the deformity with minimum morbidity with the aim of achieving the most esthetically pleasing outcome possible. Herein, we present our clinical experience with propeller flap reconstruction of external ear defects with a focus on indications and surgical technique. Methods: Fourteen patients underwent surgery at our Plastic Surgery Unit between January 2015 and October 2019. After identifying perforators with a handheld Doppler ultrasound, a tailor-made flap was designed for each patient. Following tumor excision, dissection of the pedicle and of the remaining flap was performed with the aid of surgical loops. Flap in-setting and donor site closure were final steps. Results: Flaps have survived in their entirety in almost all our patients (13/14) maintaining optimal color and elasticity and showing no complications. In one case, a superficial distal necrosis was observed and, in another patient, tumor recurrence took place. Conclusions: Propeller flaps offer great advantages when used in ear reconstruction ensuring excellent esthetic results with a one-stage technique. Nevertheless, it must be kept in mind that good dissection skills are required in order to avoid complications. Level of evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic study
- …
