Abstract

Looking at the last recession period, this contribution explores the institutional and socio-economic features affecting the resilience capacity of Italian local production systems. Specifically, the analysis focuses on the role played by diversified economy, related and unrelated variety, differentiated knowledge bases - underlying the local specialization in high-tech, knowledge intensive services and creative industries - and international openness, as drivers of local employment performance and growth. Finally, suggesting practical implications for regional policies, the analysis marginally explores the role of industrial districts and their capability to sustain the ecologies of value in an increasingly complex and globalized world.