Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: n.d. Title: Editoriale Abstract: Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:5-8 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35611&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001001 Number: 1 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Riccardo Varaldo Author-Name: Lucio Lamberti Title: La grande crisi globale: una sfida per la politica industriale e per le imprese Abstract: The global crisis: a challenge for industrial policy and enterprises - The years to come are going to be very complex for global economies, a true challenge for industrial policy and corporate decisions. The first priority has been to ensure financial stability and to mitigate the credit crunch effects on economies, but a new strategic issue has to be put rapidly in place: the public rescue policy for economies and corporates. All measures must be taken to avoid the disruption of societies and economies, and this effort needs to be coordinated at the European and international level. In the short term, Italian industries will be less affected due to a higher flexibility and a less procyclical banking effect, but they will be very vulnerable in the long run because of the fragility of the corporate structure. More than other countries, Italy needs rapid action and a strategic political approach. Research and innovation are a must, and universities have to play a leading role in this phase.

Keywords: recession, credit crunch, supply chain, business models, R&D policies, industrial Policies

Parole chiave: recessione, restrizione del credito, filiera, modelli di business, politiche di R&S, politiche industriali

JEL Classification: L25
Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:9-19 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35612&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001002 Number: 2 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Luca Paolazzi Title: Nella crisi, oltre la crisi Abstract: The crisis and beyond the crisis - The economic crisis has changed the priorities of Italian manufacturing companies. The collapse of both domestic and foreign demand, together with the creeping credit crunch, has put survival at the top of the agenda. Many Italian firms have been struck during a process of change and innovation of products, processes and organization. Transformation is important and must continue, but this process of change requires policies aimed at supporting consumption and investment, in the absence of which even healthy companies would fail to outlive the crisis. This article explains what kind of policies are needed and why.

Keywords: depression, credit crunch, corporate governance, industrial policies, incentives to consume

Parole chiave: depressione, restrizione del credito, corporate governance, politiche industriali, incentivi al consumo

Jel Classification: L25 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:21-29 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35613&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001003 Number: 3 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Riccardo Gallo Title: Le grandi imprese nel sistema produttivo italiano Abstract: Large companies in the Italian productive system - Based on the analysis of the R&S-Mediobanca survey on multinationals, in 2006 the 17 Italians were small, but not "midgets", as a result of domestic and mostly transnational M&As. In the last ten years, their economic performance and financial structure have been always very sound and in line with the other multinationals. Their labour productivity has been lower than the average, but has improved since 1997. Italian manufacturing multinationals, however, show lower ratios than those of the utilities sector. Given the dire economic outlook worldwide, the Author believes that multinationals, Government and Unions in Italy should provide social support, mostly at labour level, and implement measures aimed at increasing size and productivity, fostering globalisation, and improving corporate governance.

Keywords: multinationals, size, ratios, manufacturing companies, utilities, crisis, outlook, social support, corporate governance

Parole chiave: multinazionali, dimensione, indicatori, manifatturiere, servizi, crisi, previsioni, ammortizzatori sociali, corporate governance

Jel Classification: L25 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:31-39 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35614&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001004 Number: 4 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Valentina Morandi Title: The determinants of different types of R&D cooperation Abstract: The determinants of different types of R&D cooperation - This paper provides new empirical evidence on the determinants of R&D cooperation by investigating the drivers of cooperation with different types of partners. Using data collected by the Third Italian Community Innovation Survey, this study estimates the influence of perceived obstacles to innovation, technological regime and market extension, a firm?s absorptive capacity, appropriability conditions, partner selection capabilities, and management skills on the propensity to cooperate. The results of the multivariate analysis suggest a relatively stable set of R&D cooperation determinants, as well as some differences across cooperation types.

Keywords: R&D cooperation, innovating manufacturing firms, Italian CIS-3

Parole chiave: collaborazione in R&S, imprese manifatturiere innovative, CIS 3 italiana

JEL Classification: O310, O320 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:41-66 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35615&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001005 Number: 5 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Camilla Lenzi Author-Name: Maria Luisa Mancusi Title: Imprenditorialit? e nascita di nuove imprese innovative in Europa: un'analisi delle determinanti in alcuni settori ad alta tecnologia Abstract: Entrepreneurship and the birth of new innovative firms in Europe: an analysis of its determinants in some high-tech sectors - This paper evaluates the importance of some key elements in the process leading to the birth and start-up of a new firm. We focus on a sample of recently founded and innovative European firms in technological fields characterised by strong innovative and competitive dynamics in the last 15 years. Emphasis is placed both on the role of the founder and on the assets exploited and developed in the new ventures early stages. The analysis of the questionnaire confirms the importance of the intellectual capital of the founder and of the scientific and technological knowledge acquired during advanced studies or previous work experiences. It further confirms the importance of the human and financial capital (particularly, access to external funds) necessary to the start of entrepreneurial activity, of intellectual property rights and of the network of relationships with actors having complementary knowledge and assets (other firms, universities and public research centres, parent organisation). The analysis finally highlights interesting differences both at the geographical and sectoral level. Differences across geographical regions include the degree of development of financial markets and the opportunities to access external financial resources, but also and mostly the functions performed and the effectiveness of the university system. On the other side, differences across sectors include the assets exploited in founding the new venture and the key competences that allow it to survive and eventually grow.

Keywords: entrepreneurship, spin-off, patent

Parole chiave: imprenditorialit?, spin-off, brevetto

Jel Classification: L10, M13, O30 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:67-92 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35616&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001006 Number: 6 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rosanna Nistic? Title: I contratti di programma: una questione di multitask? Abstract: "Contratti di programma": a matter of multitask? - In the light of the results from a wide empirical investigation, this essay examines some crucial characteristics of the Italian policy measure called Contratti di programma through both the analytical framework of the incomplete contracts literature and the multi-task Principal-Agent theory. The Contratti di programma policy is based on a formal agreement between the Italian Government and private firms to carry on an investment programme comprising a number of different projects (industrial investments; workers training programs; research centres and projects). The essay also provides a number of suggestions for improving the effectiveness of this policy.

Keywords: multitask, asymmetric information, incomplete contracts, industrial policy

Parole chiave: multitask, informazione asimmetrica, contratti incompleti, contratti di programma, politica industriale

Jel Classification: D82; D86; L14; L52 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:93-121 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35617&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001007 Number: 7 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Marco Mutinelli Author-Name: Sergio Mariotti Title: L'evoluzione delle imprese multinazionali italiane e il ruolo del quarto capitalismo Abstract: The evolution of Italian multinational firms and the emergence of fourth capitalism - The purpose of this article is to outline the evolution of Italian multinational firms during the 2001-2007 period. The descriptive statistics show that a selected group of medium-sized firms has outperformed the other Italian multinationals in terms of growth rate. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis of the emergence in Italy of the so-called "fourth capitalism", as an alternative successful model to both the industrial districts and the large chandlerian corporations. Some limits of this structural evolution are also discussed.

Keywords: foreign direct investments (FDIs), Italian multinational firms

Parole chiave: investimenti diretti esteri (IDE), imprese multinazionali italiane

Jel Classification: F23 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:123-134 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35618&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001008 Number: 8 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Lorenzo Stanca Title: Investimenti diretti cinesi in Italia: da ruscello a fiume? Abstract: Chinese direct investments into Italy: from a creek to a river? - Chinese outbound direct investments have experienced a strong increase in the last five years, spurred by the "Go Abroad" policy launched by the Chinese Government in 2002. Europe still ranks at the bottom of the list among the destinations of Chinese direct investments, but it is the fastest growing one. Within Europe, Italy is a late comer in attracting Chinese investments, but has been catching up quickly in the last few years. Investments have been made mostly in the logistics and in the manufacturing sector. In 2008 the acquisition of Cifa, a leading producer of cement-working machines, by Zoomlion signalled an important step in the history of Chinese investments in Italy. It is the largest Chinese acquisition in Europe so far and for the first time the Chinese investor is looking at integrating foreign management into its own managing structure. On average the size of Chinese companies investing in Italy is much larger than that of Italian companies looking at China for expansion. Furthermore, Chinese firms are focusing increasingly on manufacturing companies and are shunning those that do not appear in good shape. Acquiring a market share in Europe is the primary aim of Chinese companies investing in Italy, while the acquisition of technological skills plays a secondary role.

Keywords: foreign direct investments, China, Italian industry, acquisitions

Parole chiave: investimenti diretti all?estero, Cina, industria italiana, acquisizioni

Jel Classification: F2 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:135-144 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35619&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001009 Number: 9 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Riccardo Gallo Author-Name: Fabrizio Carapellotti Title: Struttura economico-finanziaria dell'industria italiana: ruolo degli incentivi pubblici Abstract: Economic financial structure of industrial companies: role of the Italian government?s grants - Italian government?s grants to industrial companies have decreased in recent years. Moreover, during the period 2000-2007, less than 25% of total incentives was aimed at sustaining industrial R&D and internationalization activities. In the absence of an effective public aid policy, in 2007 Italian industrial companies were still focused on traditional manufacturing industries and were suffering the increasing competition from emerging countries. The added value of their manufacturing activity has decreased, their technological growth has slowed down, their financial indebtedness has dropped, while their return on equity has increased. The performance of most industrial companies that had received the government?s aids has not improved, with the exception of the so-called Made in Italy and the Transportation equipment manufacturing sectors, whose economic performance has improved with state subsidies.

Keywords: government grants, manufacturing industries, capital structure

Parole chiave: agevolazioni del governo, settori manifatturieri, struttura economico-finanziaria

Jel Classification: H81, L52 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:145-156 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35620&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001010 Number: 10 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Daniela Freddi Title: Technology extension policies: caratteristiche, finalit? e contesti applicativi Abstract: Technology Extension policies: characteristics, objectives and applications - The paper illustrates the main characteristics of the policy interventions defined in the literature as Technology Extension. These policies have been undertaken by several advanced countries to support the diffusion of radically new technologies across small and medium enterprises. This work aims to present the key elements that distinguish Technology Extension policies from other interventions for the diffusion of radically new technologies and to highlight the circumstances where these policies can be more appropriate than other alternatives.

Keywords: Technology Extension, general purpose technologies, policies, knowledge, technology fusion

Parole chiave: Technology Extension, general purpose technologies, politiche, conoscenza, fusione tecnologica

Jel Classification: O31 - O33 - O38 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:157-169 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35621&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001011 Number: 11 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Giancarlo Fiorito Title: La crisi del settore automobilistico e le misure di sostegno dei paesi industrializzati Abstract: The car industry crisis and the industrialized countries support measures - In 2008 new car registrations in the European Union with 14.7 million vehicles, marked a decline of 2.1 million units, compared to the previous year. The sharp fall in new vehicle registrations in January ( 40%) confirmed the impact of the economic crisis on the Italian car market, causing a major alert for the potential consequences on this sector?s employment. The alarming situation of the car sector has led all EU governments to approve both industry support measures and demand incentives for consumers. The latter, in particular, are motivated by the downward trend in consumer purchase of durable goods, mainly attributed to both income level and increasing uncertainty. In the early weeks of 2009, car firms have temporarily shut down some of their facilities while the parking lots for the storage of new vehicles are full of unsold cars. The present article briefly describes the Italian and global car market, with an eye to the more-or-less induced, technological developments. It also includes a forecast for the coming years and a synthetic picture of the State support measures in some EU countries and in the United States. Finally, it summarizes the main opinions about the recent initiatives.

Keywords: car industry, subsidies, incentives, technology development, natural gas Vehicles

Parole chiave: industria automobilistica, sussidi, incentivi, sviluppo tecnologico, veicoli a gas naturale

Jel Classification: H20, L62, L98, Q58 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:171-180 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35622&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001012 Number: 12 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: n.d. Title: Recensioni Abstract: Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:181-184 Volume: 36 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=35623&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2009-001013 Number: 13