Abstract

Following the Great Recession of 2008-2009, a significant number of governments have been increasingly providing additional incentives and support to emerging technologies and strategic sectors, above and beyond more general incentives. This paper discusses the emerging technologies and strategic sectors targeted by a selected group of OECD countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands, Japan and Australia. While this paper does not seek to revisit the debate on «picking winners», it introduces analytical arguments towards a better understanding of the «why» and «how» "policy targeting" has changed in industrial policy theory and practice. The paper concludes by focusing on the Italian case and some critical reflections on the Piano Nazionale Industria 4.0.