The aim of this article is to describe the trends in industrial research activities in Italian regions over the last years. Using data on R&D performing firms, collected by the Italian National Statistical Office (Istat) through the so-called RS-1 survey, we analyse in depth some of the issues that are usually neglected in the debate on regional research: the difference between ownership and execution of industrial R&D, multi-localization of private research investments in more than one region and the international dimension of the Italian industrial R&D. On the basis of these dimensions, three new indicators for regional industrial R&D are suggested. Considering these indicators individually and together, allows to draw a more complete picture of the role played by each region in terms of industrial R&D and it might complement the existing analysis to support effective innovation and development policies at regional level.
Keywords: Industrial Research, Regional Economy, Innovation Systems, Regional Development
Jel Code: O33; R12