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Technical Change, Non-Tariff Barriers, and the Development of the Italian Locomotive Industry, 1850-1913

Author

Listed:
  • Carlo Ciccarelli

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

  • Alessandro Nuvolari

    (Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies)

Abstract

The locomotive industry was one of the relatively sophisticated "high-tech" sectors in which Italy, a latecomer country, was successful before 1913. Using technical data on the performance of different vintages of locomotives, we construct a new industry-level index of technical change. We also study the impact of different policy instruments (import duties, non-tariff trade barriers and other discretionary interventions) in shaping the development of the industry. Our reassessment reveals the sound technological performance of Italian locomotives; the successful growth of this industry; and the critical role played by non-tariff barriers in its development.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlo Ciccarelli & Alessandro Nuvolari, 2016. "Technical Change, Non-Tariff Barriers, and the Development of the Italian Locomotive Industry, 1850-1913," Quaderni di storia economica (Economic History Working Papers) 38, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdi:workqs:qse_38
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    Cited by:

    1. Jacopo Timini, 2018. "The drivers of Italian exports and product market entry: 1862-1913 (Updated August 2020)," Working Papers 1836, Banco de España, revised Aug 2020.
    2. Alexander Donges & Felix Selgert, 2019. "Technology transfer via foreign patents in Germany, 1843–77," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 72(1), pages 182-208, February.
    3. Stefano Fenoaltea, 2020. "The fruits of disaggregation: The engineering industry, tariff protection, and the industrial investment cycle in Italy, 1861-1913," PSL Quarterly Review, Economia civile, vol. 73(292), pages 77-110.
    4. Ciccarelli, Carlo & Magazzino, Cosimo & Marcucci, Edoardo, 2021. "Early development of Italian railways and industrial growth: A regional analysis," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    5. Michela Giorcelli & Nicola Lacetera & Astrid Marinoni, 2022. "How does scientific progress affect cultural changes? A digital text analysis," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 415-452, September.
    6. Giulio Cainelli & Carlo Ciccarelli & Roberto Ganau, 2022. "Administrative Reforms and Urban Development: Lessons from Italian Unification," CEIS Research Paper 538, Tor Vergata University, CEIS, revised 02 Apr 2022.
    7. Lucrezia Fanti & Marcelo C. Pereira & Maria Enrica Virgillito, 2024. "The Agents of Industrial Policy and the North-South Convergence: State-Owned Enterprises in an International-Trade Macroeconomic ABM," DISCE - Quaderni del Dipartimento di Politica Economica dipe0041, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimenti e Istituti di Scienze Economiche (DISCE).
    8. Nicola Pontarollo & Roberto Ricciuti, 2015. "Railways and the Productivity Gap in Italy: Persistence and Divergence after Unification," CESifo Working Paper Series 5438, CESifo.
    9. Ciccarelli, Carlo & Fenske, James & Martí Henneberg, Jordi, 2023. "Railways and the European Fertility Transition," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 686, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    technical progress; locomotive industry; non-tariff barriers; Italy; 19th century;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N73 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • O25 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Industrial Policy

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