The Ghost in the Attic? The Italian National Innovation System in Historical Perspective, 1861-2011

Alessandro Nuvolari and Michelangelo Vasta

Department of Economics University of Siena from Department of Economics, University of Siena

Abstract: In this paper we provide a survey of the long term evolution of the Italian “National innovation system” since the unification. . First we provide a broad reconstruction of long term trends by examining a wide range of quantitative indicators of science and technological activities in comparative perspective. Second, on the basis of this quantitative picture, we put forward a conjectural interpretation of the fundamental features of the Italian national innovation system. Our conclusion is that Italy has approached the process of Modern Economic Growth following a peculiar path characterized by a limited commitment to investments in science and technology in combination with low real wages and the intense use of unskilled labour.

Keywords: Innovation systems; Economic Growth; Italy; Science; Technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N73 N74 O14 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012-11
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Journal Article: The Ghost in the Attic? The Italian National Innovation System in Historical Perspective, 1861–2011 (2015)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:usi:wpaper:665

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