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Pandemic crisis and firm survival: evidence from the Italian manufacturing industry

Author

Listed:
  • Eleonora Cutrini

    (University of Macerata)

  • Federico Ninivaggi

    (University of Macerata)

Abstract

The paper studies the characteristics that affected firms’ ability to react to the economic crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. We use firm-level data on Italian manufacturing companies to examine the role played by external relations and the characteristics of the local environment. In line with recent works, the study finds that micro-firms, highly indebted and less productive firms have a higher probability of exiting the market. Results also support the view that digital presence and financial soundness have favoured the survival of enterprises. Beyond firm-specific factors, we highlight that a firm’s resilience capability is related to its external linkages, namely the participation in a group or to a network contact. As for local ecosystem factors, while firms in industrial districts have a higher default probability, our results suggest that an innovative local environment can slightly mitigate the probability of permanently closing during the crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleonora Cutrini & Federico Ninivaggi, 2024. "Pandemic crisis and firm survival: evidence from the Italian manufacturing industry," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 51(2), pages 265-297, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:epolin:v:51:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s40812-024-00309-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s40812-024-00309-0
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Firm survival; IDs; Innovative environment; Digitalization; Small firms; COVID-19; Italy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • G33 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Bankruptcy; Liquidation

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