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Agglomeration dynamics of innovative start-ups in Italy beyond the industrial district era

Author

Listed:
  • Angelo Cavallo

    (Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering)

  • Antonio Ghezzi

    (Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering)

  • Alessandra Colombelli

    (DIGEP, Politecnico di Torino and BRICK (Bureau of Research in Innovation Complexity and Knowledge), Collegio Carlo Alberto)

  • Gian Luca Casali

    (Queensland University of Technology, School of Management, Brisbane)

Abstract

Building on the literature on agglomeration economies, this study examines how urbanization, industry-diversification, district economics and incubating initiatives are associated to the creation of innovative start-ups in Italy. The empirical analysis is based on a sample of 6018 innovative start-ups distributed across 104 Italian NUTS 3 regions. Our findings show that incubating initiative and industrial districts play a major role for new venture creation and provide support to the positive role of urbanization economies and industry specialization over diversification. Finally, we discuss future research directions grounded on the empirical evidence provided by our study.

Suggested Citation

  • Angelo Cavallo & Antonio Ghezzi & Alessandra Colombelli & Gian Luca Casali, 2020. "Agglomeration dynamics of innovative start-ups in Italy beyond the industrial district era," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 239-262, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:intemj:v:16:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s11365-018-0521-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11365-018-0521-8
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    New venture creation; Agglomeration economies; Innovative start-ups; Industrial districts; Incubators; Industry-diversification;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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