Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alessandro Arrighetti Author-Name: Augusto Ninni Title: German and Italian manufacturing performances: a premise to a comparison Abstract: This Special Issue of Economia e Politica Industriale/Journal of Industrial and Business Economics seeks to shed light on the reasons for the economic and industrial gap between Germany and Italy based on the discussions of five research papers. The contributions compare the microeconomic features of the two countries and investigate the competitiveness and internationalization of their economies. This introduction provides the readers with a structural overview to enable them to better understand the comparison, underscoring the few similarities and the main basic differences that characterize the two countries. It also provides a summary of the topics discussed in each of the five articles and reflects on why we believe the contributions offer an original reflection on the topic. Classification-JEL: F14, L25, L52 Keywords: Industria manifatturiera, commercio internazionale, capitale umano, internazionalizzazione, politica industriale, Germania, Italia Note: Pages:5-16 Volume: 2012/2 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=45673&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2012-002001 Number: 1 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Paolo Guerrieri Author-Name: Piero Esposito Title: Italia e Germania: due modelli di crescita export-led a confronto Abstract: The aim of the paper is to compare the growth and external performances of Germany and Italy in the 1999-2009 ten-year period, i.e., from the advent of European Monetary Union (EMU) up to the financial crisis. Although both economies have been dubbed export-driven growth models in the past, the trajectories of the two countries have diverged in terms of both trade flows and trade balances over the past decade. In Germany, the positive contribution of net exports to GDP growth was the main driver of its higher growth dynamics compared to Italy. Given that traditional cost-competitiveness can only partly account for these divergent external performances, the paper considers two additional factors. First, the increasing tendency of German firms to fragment production internationally, notably in neighbouring Central and Eastern European countries, and, second, the vital role played by the single euro currency and European Monetary Union. The econometric analyses conducted underscore the significance of both those factors in spurring Germany?s trade surplus above that of Italy. In terms of industrial and economic policy, the results of the analysis suggest that the German growth model can be used as an EU benchmark solely in terms of supply side adjustments, given that the high dependency on a current account surplus that well exceeds that of the Euro area prevents it from being extended to the other eurozone countries. Classification-JEL: F14, F15, F43, C33 Keywords: Note: Pages:17-53 Volume: 2012/2 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=45674&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2012-002002 Number: 2 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Marius Clemems Author-Name: Dieter Schumacher Title: Manufacturing competitiveness in euro countries. A German perspective Abstract: The aim of the paper is to illustrate a comparative analysis of the performance and traits of the manufacturing sector in Germany and Italy and against the background of the Euro countries as a whole. We explore factor endowment and compare the production and foreign trade specialisation patterns of three aggregated industries: resource-intensive, labour-intensive and knowledge-intensive products. The outcome of the analysis suggests that the strong positioning of German industry is thanks mainly to its technological strength supported by its increasing price competitiveness over other eurozone countries Classification-JEL: F14, O14, L60 Keywords: Commercio internazionale, competitivit?, specializzazione, attivit? manifatturiera, industria a elevato contenuto di conoscenza Note: Pages:55-76 Volume: 2012/2 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=45675&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2012-002003 Number: 3 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Giovanni Foresti Author-Name: Stefania Trenti Title: Struttura e performance delle esportazioni: Italia e Germania a confronto Abstract: The paper compares the export trends of Italian and German goods in 2000-2009 . The comparative analysis is based not only on the indicators generally referred to in the literature, but also on a new measure of positioning by price range and two new indicators of bilateral competition between economies in the international markets. The analysis highlights the competitive repositioning of Italian companies, which in the course of 2000-2009 gained market shares in high-price productions. Nevertheless, the move has not shielded Italian companies from the competition of China. Although Chinese competition has hit the German companies too, these have shown greater resilience, becoming the preferred production partners of the Asian giant in several areas. The greater ability of Germany to establish a stable commercial presence in large countries, such as China, stems from its high level of system cohesion, the presence of large groups, and the efforts made to raise quality, leading the country to consolidate its leadership in the production of high-priced goods. Classification-JEL: Keywords: Germania, Italia, Cina, commercio internazionale, specializzazione produttiva, quote di mercato Jel classification: F10, F14, L60, O57 Note: Pages:77-109 Volume: 2012/2 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=45676&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2012-002004 Number: 4 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Emanuela Breda Author-Name: Rita Cappariello Title: A tale of two bazaar economies: an input-output analysis of Germany and Italy Abstract: The paper evaluates the extent of production internationalisation in Italy and Germany from 1995 to 2007. The analysis is based on a broad set of international outsourcing indicators to which we have added a new indicator to take account also of the import content of domestic inputs: the direct and indirect import content of production. In 2007, both countries showed a similar intensity of international offshoring, although Italian manufacturing firms showed a slightly higher rate. From a dynamic viewpoint, both economies spurred substantial growth in off-shoring in 1995-2000, although the growth was stronger in Germany, where at least manufacturing started from a lower level. In 2001-2003, off-shoring levels stagnated in both economies, although growth quickly resumed in 2004-2007, suggesting a shift in the strategic direction and the reorganisation of production by Italian firms. The new challenges posed by globalisation, the widespread take-up of information and communication technologies, and the adoption of the euro have induced the most dynamic Italian firms to retool their organisational set-up, including the degree of vertical specialisation. Classification-JEL: F14, C67 Keywords: Utilizzo di input importati, tavole input-output Note: Pages:111-137 Volume: 2012/2 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=45677&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2012-002005 Number: 5 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Secondo Rolfo Author-Name: Alessandro Manello Title: La meccanica strumentale in Germania e Italia: due modelli a confronto Abstract: Germany and Italy are the only two developed countries to retain high levels of specialization in mechanical engineering, and both play a leadership role in the international markets. Based on the empirical evidence produced by an analysis of the financial statements of a sample of Italian and German mechanical engineering firms in the 2007-2009 period, the paper identifies the key trends shared by the two countries and highlights the main differences. In fact, compared with Italy, Germany has more large firms and a sectoral innovation system, although the analysis points out many other significant differences, in particular, the average size of the companies and their levels of profitability. While this latter probably is due to structural differences, the country effect should not be disregarded and, in the case of Italian firms, it probably depends on the reluctance of the banking system to provide adequate financial support, on the lack of a sectoral innovation system, and on longer payment terms. Classification-JEL: L22, L25, L64 Keywords: Meccanica strumentale, struttura industriale, risultati d?impresa Note: Pages:139-161 Volume: 2012/2 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=45678&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2012-002006 Number: 6 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Valter Di Giacinto Author-Name: Matteo Gomellini Author-Name: Giacinto Micucci Author-Name: Marcello Pagnini Title: The productivity advantages of spatial concentration: evidence from Italian Industrial districts and cities Abstract: The paper provides new, more detailed evidence on the productivity of manufacturing firms across Italian local labour markets by analysing a large firm-level database covering the 1995-2006 period. The analysis identifies two types of highly agglomerated areas - large cities and industrial districts - as opposed to smaller, non-specialized local markets, and shows that manufacturing firms operating in both types of agglomerated areas achieve higher total factor productivity levels. However, the urban areas attract a substantially larger estimated premium than the districts and, according to the evidence, employment skill distribution contributes only marginally to the urban productivity premium. In addition, the analysis of overall productivity distribution indicates that urban advantages are particularly high for the pool of most efficient firms, while the opposite is true for industrial districts. The estimated productivity surplus of industrial clusters declined significantly over the review period but remained stable for large cities. Overall, the above findings raise questions about the different capabilities of specialized clusters to prosper in an increasingly globalized world compared with urban areas. Classification-JEL: C52, D24, R12 Keywords: Aree urbane, distretti industriali, economie di agglomerazione, produttivit? Note: Pages:163-175 Volume: 2012/2 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=45679&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2012-002007 Number: 7 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Gianluca Toschi Title: Upgrading e riposizionamento delle imprese distrettuali nella catena internazionale del valore Abstract: The paper uses a unique dataset to address the issue of the functional and competitive upgrading of firms located in Italian industrial districts as a way to counter the growing competition faced by the suppliers of intermediate goods in global value chains (GVC). To maintain or enhance positioning in the global economy, firms use upgrading strategies to move from low-value to relatively high-value activities. An indepth empirical analysis of these upgrading patterns was conducted through a survey composed of questions designed ad hoc according to state-of-the-art GVC literature. In particular, the responses enable us to identify the various upgrading behaviours of firms located inside and outside districts, and how these strategies can boost the competitiveness of industrial districts to address the new challenges of globalisation. Classification-JEL: L22, L23, R30, F20 Keywords: Upgrading, catene globali del valore, distretti industriali, innovazione Note: Pages:177-192 Volume: 2012/2 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=45680&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2012-002008 Number: 8 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Giovanni Foresti Title: Prime evidenze sui contratti di rete in Italia Abstract: To promote collaboration between enterprises and increase their innovation potential, Italy implemented a law on "network contracts" in 2009. The article assesses the results of the first 179 network contracts signed pursuant to that law from the time it was introduced up to early October 2011. The analysis of the manufacturing firms in question suggests a more intense use of technological innovation, quality management system certifications, and foreign direct investments. One-third of the 179 firms are located in industrial districts; these companies all show a high tendency to get involved in multiregional network contracts where service firms also play a role. Albeit not conclusive, the evidence provided by these preliminary results shows that the network contracts are often used to enrich the area with new innovation or distribution competences not always available locally, rather than being developed as an alternative to industrial districts. Classification-JEL: R12, L10, L22 Keywords: Contratti di rete, distretti industriali Note: Pages:193-204 Volume: 2012/2 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=45681&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2012-002009 Number: 9