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The Spatial Distribution of Economic Activities in Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Laura de Dominicis

    (VU University Amsterdam)

  • Giuseppe Arbia

    ('G. d'Annunzio' University, Pescara, Italy)

  • Henri L.F. de Groot

    (VU University Amsterdam)

Abstract

Existing indices measuring the spatial distribution of economic activity such as the Krugman Specialisation Index, the Hirschmann-Herfindahl index and the Ellison-Glaeser index typically do not take into account the spatial structure of the data. In this paper, we first consider traditional measures of geographical concentration, and subsequently extend the analysis to take spatial dependence into account. Using data for Italy for the years 1991 and 2001, we apply exploratory spatial data analysis to identify sectoral location patterns in both the manufacturing industry as well as in services. We find that large differences prevail in the geographical concentration of production across sectors. The results of the exploratory spatial data analysis reveal the existence of well- defined clusters of economic activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura de Dominicis & Giuseppe Arbia & Henri L.F. de Groot, 2007. "The Spatial Distribution of Economic Activities in Italy," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 07-094/3, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20070094
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Henri L.F. de Groot & Jacques Poot & Martijn J. Smit, 2007. "Agglomeration, Innovation and Regional Development: Theoretical Perspectives and Meta-Analysis," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 07-079/3, Tinbergen Institute.
    2. Ahmed, Sofia, 2011. "Does economic geography matter for Pakistan? a spatial exploratory analysis of income and education inequalities," MPRA Paper 35062, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Karsten Rusche & Uwe Kies & Andreas Schulte, 2011. "Measuring spatial co-agglomeration patterns by extending ESDA techniques," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 31(1), pages 11-25, June.
    4. Adriana Reveiu & Marian Dârdala, 2015. "Influence of Cluster Type Business Agglomerations for Development of Entrepreneurial Activities. Study about Romania," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 17(38), pages 107-107, February.
    5. Angelo Cavallo & Antonio Ghezzi & Cristina Rossi-Lamastra, 2021. "Small-medium enterprises and innovative startups in entrepreneurial ecosystems: exploring an under-remarked relation," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 1843-1866, December.
    6. Daniela Luminita Constantin & Adriana Elena Dardala, 2018. "A Spatial Analysis of Tourism Infrastructure in Romania: Spotlight on Accommodation and Food Service Companies," REGION, European Regional Science Association, vol. 5, pages 1-16.
    7. Anna Missiaia, 2015. "The industrial geography of Italy: provinces, regions and border effects, 1871-1911," Working Papers 15012, Economic History Society.
    8. Marta R. Casanova & Vicente Orts & José M. Albert, 2017. "Sectoral scope and colocalisation of Spanish manufacturing industries," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 65-92, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis; Geographic Concentration; Italy; Spatial Autocorrelation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
    • R30 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - General

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