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Inter-Firm Networks and Firm Performance: The Case of Italy

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  • Chiara Burlina

Abstract

This study investigates a particular type of network, the inter-firm network (IFN), and its impact on performances of Italian firms between 2010-2015. After revising the literature on alliances and networks for what concerns the geographical and industrial dimension, I focus my attention on networks’ performance and innovation propensity. The empirical analysis, based on a sample of about 4,000 firms, is divided in two parts: firstly, applying a “differencein- difference” technique, is tested the impact of being in an IFN; secondly, focusing on year 2013, are measured the different effects of IFN characteristics. Results demonstrate that belonging to an IFN has a positive impact on firms’ growth. Moreover, industry heterogeneity of members and internationalisation scope (rather than innovation) turn out to be the main factors increasing firm’s profitability and economic growth.

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  • Chiara Burlina, 2018. "Inter-Firm Networks and Firm Performance: The Case of Italy," "Marco Fanno" Working Papers 0216, Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche "Marco Fanno".
    • Handle: RePEc:pad:wpaper:0216
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    1. Corrado Ievoli & Angelo Belliggiano & Danilo Marandola & Giuseppe Pistacchio & Luca Romagnoli, 2019. "Network Contracts in the Italian agri-food industry: Determinants and spatial patterns," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 21(2), pages 275-306.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inter-firm network; Alliances; Performance; Difference-in-Difference; Innovation.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C3 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • P25 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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