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A transnational fast fashion industrial district: an analysis of the Chinese businesses in Prato

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  • Gabi Dei Ottati

Abstract

After World War II, Prato (in Italy) became known for the extraordinary development of its textile industry. The development was extraordinary due to its size and because it was based on small firms, the study of which contributed to the rediscovery of the Marshallian industrial district. In recent decades Prato has become increasingly known for the rise of the largest agglomeration in Italy of Chinese immigrants’ businesses specialised in fast fashion clothing. Despite the attention devoted to this phenomenon, how and why the Chinese in Prato were so successful remains somewhat of a mystery. This paper explores the case of the Chinese in Prato, considering first their influx into the district as subcontractors and then their transformation into final producers of pronto moda. The paper focuses on the causes of these immigrants’ exceptional development and on the possible consequences of this evolution for the future of Prato in the new global economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabi Dei Ottati, 2014. "A transnational fast fashion industrial district: an analysis of the Chinese businesses in Prato," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 38(5), pages 1247-1274.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:cambje:v:38:y:2014:i:5:p:1247-1274.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/cje/beu015
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    Cited by:

    1. Amar Sapra & Peter L. Jackson, 2022. "Integration of long‐ and short‐term contracts in a market for capacity," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(7), pages 2872-2890, July.
    2. Cristina Chaminade & Marco Bellandi & Monica Plechero & Erica Santini, 2019. "Understanding processes of path renewal and creation in thick specialized regional innovation systems. Evidence from two textile districts in Italy and Sweden," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(10), pages 1978-1994, October.
    3. Sforzi, Fabio, 2015. "Rethinking the industrial district: 35 years later," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 32, pages 11-29.
    4. Luciana Lazzeretti & Francesco Capone, 2017. "The transformation of the Prato industrial district: an organisational ecology analysis of the co-evolution of Italian and Chinese firms," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 58(1), pages 135-158, January.
    5. Simone Guercini & Matilde Milanesi & Gabi Dei Ottati, 2017. "Paths of evolution for the Chinese migrant entrepreneurship: a multiple case analysis in Italy," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 266-294, September.
    6. Sue Konzelmann & Frank Wilkinson, 2016. "Co-operation in Production, the Organization of Industry & Productive Systems: A Critical Survey of the 'District' Form of Industrial Organisation & Development," Working Papers wp481, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    7. Sandoz Laure & Mittmasser Christina & Riaño Yvonne & Piguet Etienne, 2022. "A Review of Transnational Migrant Entrepreneurship: Perspectives on Unequal Spatialities," ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography, De Gruyter, vol. 66(3), pages 137-150, October.

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