The global economic crisis that hit in 2008-2009 has had a negative impact on the performance of a large number of firms based in the Italian industrial districts. The recovery expected in 2010 is unlikely to be sufficient to quickly absorb the economic downturns of 2009. Accordingly, a tough...

In 2009, the growth and revenue performance of district firms in Italy deteriorated sharply. The effects of the 2009 crisis were evident also in terms of distribution performance as the gap between the best and worst-performing firms widened. Nevertheless, despite the difficult economic...