Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nancy Gallini Title: Private agreements for coordinating patent rights: the case of patent pools Abstract: Inventors and users of technology often enter into cooperative agreements for sharing their intellectual property in order to implement a standard or to avoid costly litigation. Over the past two decades, U.S. antitrust authorities have viewed pooling arrangements that integrate complementary, valid and essential patents as having pro-competitive benefits in reducing prices, transactions costs, and the incidence of legal suits. Since patent pools are cooperative agreements, they also have the potential of suppressing competition if, for example, they harbor weak or invalid patents, dampen incentives to conduct research on innovations that compete with the pooled patents, foreclose competition from downstream product or upstream input markets, or soften competition with outside substitutes that do not rely on the pooled patents. In synthesizing the ideas advanced in the economic literature, this paper explores whether these antitrust concerns apply to pools with complementary patents and, if they do, the implications for competition policy to constrain them. Classification-JEL: L2, L24, L4, L44, O3, O33, O34 Keywords: Propriet? intellettuale, brevetti, politica antitrust/sulla concorrenza, accordi cooperativi Note: Pages:5-30 Volume: 2011/3 Year: 2011 Issue:3 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=43048&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2011-003001 Number: 1 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jean J. Gabszewicz Author-Name: Ornella Tarola Title: When "made in italy" meets global competition: a theoretical appraisal Abstract: The fierce growth in global competition has led politicians and economists in Italy to shift the focus of the debate to the pressing need for the country?s small firms to formulate appropriate strategic responses. In particular, the discussion has prompted the question of how best to ensure their survival: should these firms expand to a size that would enable them to tap into new markets through de novo entry strategies? Or should they pursue cooperation ventures with interested larger rivals? The paper seeks to contribute to the theoretical debate by illustrating a simple example, that of a small firm investigating the possibility of accessing a new market. Given that "made in Italy" companies leverage their competitive edge through the high quality of their products, we study when, in this context and in cases where potential licensing or other cooperation ventures are open to the firm, acquisition is preferable to a de novo entry plan. Classification-JEL: L1, L2, O31 Keywords: Acquisizione, innovazione del prodotto, differenziazione verticale Note: Pages:31-52 Volume: 2011/3 Year: 2011 Issue:3 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=43049&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2011-003002 Number: 2 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Giacomo Becattini Author-Name: Marco Bellandi Author-Name: Lisa De Propris Title: Industrial districts: the contemporary debate Abstract: The aim of the paper is to present the main lines of the wide-ranging and decades-long debate on IDs (industrial districts). We look at what the IDs have represented in the past, their current situation, and the challenges and opportunities these face in a socio-economic context that is spurring greater interaction between global and local forces. The paper first outlines a few basic concepts and some of the key findings to emerge from the more recent debate on industrial districts. Through a critical review of selected empirical and theoretical contributions from a growing body of worldwide literature, we identify themes that seem to coincide with the critical nodes of industrial districts, especially at a time when these face challenges as well as opportunities. The paper is presented as a contemporary reflection on such themes in a critical, albeit probably less than objective, way. Classification-JEL: B10, D24, R12 Keywords: Distretti industriali, economie esterne, sfide contemporanee dell?innovazione e dell?internazionalizzazione, forme del capitalismo regionale, politiche di sviluppo locale industriale Note: Pages:53-75 Volume: 2011/3 Year: 2011 Issue:3 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=43050&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2011-003003 Number: 3 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Massimo G. Colombo Author-Name: Luca Grilli Author-Name: Samuele Murtinu Author-Name: Lucia Piscitello Author-Name: Evila Piva Title: L?effetto moderatore delle caratteristiche dei partner sulle performance delle giovani imprese ad alta tecnologia Abstract: The paper analyzes the effects of international research alliances on the performance of NTBFs (new technology-based firms) by adopting a framework that incorporates both the resource-based view and the global strategic network theory. The paper focuses on the European Union-funded international research joint ventures established by a large sample of Italian NTBFs over the 1994-2003 period. We measure firm performance through total factor productivity and use the GMM system estimator to evaluate the impact of such alliances on the performance of NTBFs. Our results suggest that NTBFs are more efficient when allied with industrial partners located in different countries and when these countries are closer to world knowledge sources. Classification-JEL: M13, F23, D21, D24 Keywords: Giovani imprese ad alta tecnologia, alleanze di ricerca internazionali, produttivit? Note: Pages:77-103 Volume: 2011/3 Year: 2011 Issue:3 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=43051&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2011-003004 Number: 4 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Annamaria Nifo Title: L?industria del Mezzogiorno: un?analisi empirica sui divari di produttivit? Abstract: Explaining the productivity gap between Centre-Northern and Southern industry is still a central issue in the debate on the relative lag of Italian Mezzogiorno. In this investigation I use the unique UniCredit-Capitalia survey database on a stratified sample of Italian manufacturing firms for the years 1995-1997, 1998-2000 and 2001-2003 (with an overall number of twelve thousand two hundred and sixteen observations). Micro-level data are aggregated at provincial level to carry out an application of the shift-share analysis aiming at pointing out magnitude and role of structural, geographical and allocative components in the provincial gap of labour productivity. Consistent with most of the previous literature, geographical factors come out to be the main determinants of differences in the labour productivity in Italy. Results show that specific characteristics of manufacturing firms concerning industry, size and international opening affect the provincial gap in labour productivity much less than localization factors connected to institutional environment and endowments of human capital, social capital and local infrastructures. Classification-JEL: L23, O14, O15 Keywords: Differenza di produttivit?, Mezzogiorno, analisi shift-share Note: Pages:105-125 Volume: 2011/3 Year: 2011 Issue:3 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=43052&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2011-003005 Number: 5 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Roberto Pozzana Author-Name: Laura Benedetti Title: Modelli di business e competitivit? delle piccole imprese. L?industria italiana del mobile Abstract: The article illustrates some of the key results of an analysis to measure the mediumterm competitiveness of SMEs (small and medium enterprises), with the aim of identifying and clustering their BM (business models) according to a specific set of key competitive factors; the combination of these factors describes the approach of each BM to its market segments and relative challenges. For the purposes of this paper, each BM is considered a "stylized" representation of the value chain structure and the organization of the activities needed to succeed in the marketplace. That approach enables us to examine the economic structure and competitive factors of those SMEs that are parts of networks of firms, especially in relation to small companies that operate as contractors for other companies and, which, in turn, outsource parts of their production. The result is a studied comparison of the efficiency and competitive ability of the production districts in the Italian furniture industry that we believe useful to the formulation of policies to improve their performance. : Classification-JEL: L10, L69, R11 Keywords: Modello di business, distretti, reti d?impresa, industria del mobile e arredo, analisi in componenti principali, analisi dei cluster Note: Pages:127-159 Volume: 2011/3 Year: 2011 Issue:3 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=43053&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2011-003006 Number: 6 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Giovanni Foresti Author-Name: Stefano Menghinello Author-Name: Fabrizio Guelpa Title: Innovazione, qualit? e marchi nei distretti industriali Abstract: In 2009, the growth and revenue performance of district firms in Italy deteriorated sharply. The effects of the 2009 crisis were evident also in terms of distribution performance as the gap between the best and worst-performing firms widened. Nevertheless, despite the difficult economic environment, the Italian production system demonstrated its good reaction capacity. Our analysis points to a significant strengthening of the ability of district firms to react through more intensive use of technological innovations, trademarks, and quality management system certifications. Nevertheless, in markets characterised by increasingly fierce competitive pressures, Italian producers need to further accelerate their efforts to innovate, raise quality, and exploit trademarks. Classification-JEL: R12, O30, M30, L10, L15, F22 Keywords: Distretto industriale, brevetti, marchi, qualit?, imprenditoria extracomunitaria Note: Pages:161-178 Volume: 2011/3 Year: 2011 Issue:3 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=43054&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2011-003007 Number: 7 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Giovanni Solinas Author-Name: Raffaele Giardino Author-Name: Eleonora Di Maria Author-Name: Stefano Micelli Title: Distretti industriali, imprese multinazionali e catene del valore Abstract: The paper reconsiders the key issue of the industrial district and the multinational enterprise as two alternative or complementary drivers of local development in the light of new empirical evidence. That evidence derives from the results of two surveys of the determinants of linkages between local firms and foreign affiliates. The surveys were conducted in the Italian province of Modena in the past few years; Modena is well-known internationally for its leading industrial districts, which specialise in both traditional and high-tech manufacturing industries. The evidence shows that local firms and foreign affiliates are actively engaged in a dense local production network where foreign affiliates can play a crucial role in enhancing the position of local firms in global value chains. Classification-JEL: F23, L22, R3, R12 Keywords: Impresa multinazionale, scelta di localizzazione dell?impresa, catene internazionali del valore, distretti industriali Note: Pages:179-192 Volume: 2011/3 Year: 2011 Issue:3 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=43055&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2011-003008 Number: 8 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Maria Chiarvesio Author-Name: Eleonora Di Maria Author-Name: Stefano Micelli Title: Internazionalizzazione delle reti di fornitura: imprese distrettuali e non distrettuali a confronto Abstract: The paper compares the supply network strategies of ID (district firms) and non-ID (non-district firms) with a dual aim: to provide an overview of emerging strategies and to identify similarities and differences between business models. The quantitative analysis developed in the paper is based on the TeDIS (Technologies in Distributed Intelligence Systems) survey conducted on forty-five leading Italian districts and SMEs (small and medium enterprises) located outside the districts in made in Italy sectors, encompassing a total of eight hundred Italian firms. The results of the analysis show that there are more similarities than differences in the supply networks approach of ID and non-ID companies. While the ID firms rely more on local systems in terms of supply networks, the non- ID firms have invested also at the national level. The global geographical extension of supply networks emphasizes the ID companies? search for efficiency and value-added competences. Non-ID firms have a more hierarchical approach to internationalization than ID firms, but the differences tend to diminish as the size of the companies increases. Classification-JEL: M1, F23, L2 Keywords: Internazionalizzazione, reti di fornitura, distretti industriali, strategie, supply chain management Note: Pages:193-207 Volume: 2011/3 Year: 2011 Issue:3 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=43056&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2011-003009 Number: 9