Consistently with some recent modelling in trade literature and with more consolidated views in the economics of international production, we show that, after controlling for sector, location, firm age and size, a substantial heterogeneity in economic and innovative performances characterizes Italian manufacturing firms with different involvement in foreign activities. In particular, non internationalised firms turn out as the worse performers, while multinational firms carrying out manufacturing activities abroad, are characterised by both the highest productivity premiums and the highest R&D efforts and innovative performances. Multinationals with a lower commitment to foreign markets, i.e. with non manufacturing activities abroad only, exhibit a higher productivity than exporters but they do not appear to innovate more than the latter.
Internationalisation, innovation and productivity: how do firms differ in Italy?
ZANFEI, ANTONELLO
2007
Abstract
Consistently with some recent modelling in trade literature and with more consolidated views in the economics of international production, we show that, after controlling for sector, location, firm age and size, a substantial heterogeneity in economic and innovative performances characterizes Italian manufacturing firms with different involvement in foreign activities. In particular, non internationalised firms turn out as the worse performers, while multinational firms carrying out manufacturing activities abroad, are characterised by both the highest productivity premiums and the highest R&D efforts and innovative performances. Multinationals with a lower commitment to foreign markets, i.e. with non manufacturing activities abroad only, exhibit a higher productivity than exporters but they do not appear to innovate more than the latter.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
