This paper uses a multistage approach to investigate the role of Italy in the Northern African countries, both in terms of trade and investment. In particular, we show that Italian import flows for two typically Made in Italy industries, namely textile and clothing on one hand, and leather and...

The paper stresses how Italian and Chinese SMEs internationalize according to different approaches. Indeed, in the former case firms may move abroad because they follow the so-called lead firms, that act as a meta-national body, whereas in the latter case SMEs are committed to exports and/or...