In this paper, spatial shift-share decomposition is analysed when applied to Italian data on regional business change at plant level, over the period [2004][2005][2006][2007][2008][2009]. A new type of spatial decomposition, which looks more effectively at neighbourhood influence, is introduced here. Notable results emerge from the empirical investigation. First, it can be seen that the spatial level of aggregation greatly affects results. Second, evidence of neighbourhood advantage in the Southern NUTS 3 regions is found, together with opposite results for the Central-Northern NUTS 3 regions. Finally, evidence of positive industrial mix effects is only found in CentralNorthern Italy.JEL classification: C21, L26, R12

In this paper, we adapt multilevel analysis methods to investigate the spatial variability of SMEs' productivity across the Italian territory, and account for differences in the socio-economic context. Our results suggest that to properly capture the variability of the data, it is important to allow for both spatial mean and slope effects. Social decay has the expected negative impact. However, while this effect is larger on firms with smaller capital intensity, firms with higher capital intensity seem to be less affected by geography. Greater territorial heterogeneity emerges among those firms with lower capital to labour ratios. Une analyse spatiale á plusieurs niveaux de la productivité de PME italiennes Résumé dans la présente communication, nous adaptons des méthodes d'analyse à plusieurs niveaux pour examiner la variabilité spatiale de la productivité de PME sur l'intégralité du territoire italien, et évaluer les différences sur un plan socio-économique. Nos résultats indiquent que pour saisir correctement la variabilité des données, il est important de tenir compte à la fois de la moyenne spatiale et des effets des pentes. La désintégration sociale a l'effet négatif escompté. Toutefois, tandis que cet effet est plus important pour des entreprises à moindre intensité capitalistique, les entreprises à intensité capitalistique majeure semblent être moins affectées par des facteurs géographiques. On relève une hétérogénéité majeure parmi les entreprises au ratio capital/main-d’œuvre inférieur. Un análisis espacial de niveles múltiples de la productividad de pequeñ as y medianas empresas italianas Extracto En este trabajo, adaptamos métodos de análisis de niveles múltiples para investigar la variabilidad espacial de la productividad de pequeñas y medianas empresas a lo largo del territorio italiano, y tenemos en cuenta las diferencias dentro del contexto socioeconómico. Nuestros resultados sugieren que para capturar apropiadamente la variabilidad de los datos, es importante tener en consideración los efectos de la pendiente y media espacial. El deterioro social tiene el efecto negativo esperado. No obstante, aunque este efecto es mayor en las empresas con una intensidad de capital menor, las empresas con una mayor intensidad de capital parecen estar menos afectadas por la geografía. Una mayor heterogeneidad territorial emerge entre las empresas con relaciones más bajas entre capital y mano de obra.Firm heterogeneity, spatial variability, socio-economic context, multilevel analysis, C31, R11, R12, R30,

This paper employs panel unit root tests to investigate convergence in total factor productivity (TFP) among Italian regions. These tests provide an inference valid in the presence of heterogeneity and cross-sectional\ud dependence, and when the cross-sectional dimension is smaller than the time dimension, allowing the investigation of convergence\ud among different subsets of regions. The results add a further dimension to the conventional view on growth dynamics\ud in the Italian peninsula depicting a lack of regional TFP convergence not only at the national level, but also at the level of geographical disaggregations where regions are conventionally thought to converge

Social media are an important growth opportunity for firms, especially small-sized ones operating in peripheral and lagging regions. In this paper, we investigate not only whether firms are able to take this opportunity, but also if they are able to face the challenge of adopting social media at a professional level to obtain a significant economic impact, measured in terms of exporting activities. Exploring the Italian case, our empirical study indicates that smaller firms in lagging areas are more likely to adopt social media but at the same time less likely to use them at a professional level. This reflects poor strategic targets of social media adoption and lower probabilities of entering international markets.

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