We study the evolution of specialization patterns of the Italian provinces over 1995-2005 by analyzing the dynamics of the sectoral distribution of the Balassa index of revealed comparative advantages for several manufacturing sectors. Our results show that behind a relatively stable distribution of national comparative advantages over time, there are wide variations in local performances: only a few provinces strengthened their specialization patterns over the last decade, while the majority of them slightly weakened their specialization patterns. We also find a higher average degree of persistence for district provinces, but no systematic differences between provinces with and without industrial districts. We find a variety of behaviour for provinces with industrial districts in the footwear, textiles and clothing and machinery industries: a few of them are concentrating on their past comparative strengths, while many others are changing their specialization patterns.
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Paper provided by SEMEQ Department - Faculty of Economics - University of Eastern Piedmont in its series Working Papers with number
116.
Find related papers by JEL classification: F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Country and Industry Studies of Trade R11 - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Analysis of Growth, Development, and Changes
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