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Districts, multinationals and global/digital networks

Author

Listed:
  • Davide Castellani

    (University of Reading)

  • Enzo Rullani

    (IUV)

  • Antonello Zanfei

    (DESP-Università di Urbino)

Abstract

This paper reflects on what remains of Becattini’s utopia in the new context of a globalized and digital economy. Can one still foresee a global world populated with local societies able to produce value by following their own inspirations and chorally participating in a world-wide division of cognitive labor? It is suggested that the interpretive value of Becattini’s theorizing remains, to the extent that one moves away from the consideration of the classical district model, and adopts his more general way of thinking about the economy, which is only exemplified by the historical circumstance of industrial districts. His view may well apply to a variety of circumstances, not only to industrial districts, and it is flexible enough to encompass economic change under different environmental conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Davide Castellani & Enzo Rullani & Antonello Zanfei, 2017. "Districts, multinationals and global/digital networks," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 44(4), pages 429-447, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:epolin:v:44:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s40812-017-0079-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s40812-017-0079-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Marina Papanastassiou & Robert Pearce & Antonello Zanfei, 2020. "Changing perspectives on the internationalization of R&D and innovation by multinational enterprises: A review of the literature," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(4), pages 623-664, June.
    2. Andrea Coveri & Antonello Zanfei, 2023. "Who wins the race for knowledge-based competitiveness? Comparing European and North American FDI patterns," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(1), pages 292-330, February.
    3. -, 2021. "Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean 2021," La Inversión Extranjera Directa en América Latina y el Caribe, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), number 47148.2 edited by Eclac.
    4. Roberto Ganau & Roberto Grandinetti, 2022. "La capacit? innovativa delle regioni: riflessioni sul nuovo "triangolo industriale"," ECONOMIA E SOCIET? REGIONALE, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 0(1), pages 105-125.
    5. -, 2023. "Investment and cooperation opportunities for Latin America and the Caribbean and the European Union," Libros y Documentos Institucionales, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), number 48992 edited by Eclac.
    6. Mirabelle Muuls & Rajneesh Narula & Lucia Piscitello & Antonello Zanfei, 2023. "Global value chains: antecedents and new perspectives," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 50(1), pages 19-23, March.
    7. Gökhan Önder & Cemil Ulukan, 2020. "Innovation and the network position of firms: the case of the Eskişehir–Bilecik–Kütahya ceramic cluster in Turkey," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 47(4), pages 589-612, December.
    8. Andrea Coveri & Antonello Zanfei, 2023. "The virtues and limits of specialization in global value chains: analysis and policy implications," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 50(1), pages 73-90, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Industrial districts; Innovation; MNEs; Digital economy; Globalisation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L5 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy
    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity

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