Two studies resulting from scientific collaboration between IRPET and the University of Milan-Bicocca
This page brings together two studies carried out as part of the scientific collaboration between IRPET and the University of Milan-Bicocca, commissioned by the “International Activities and Investment Attraction” Department of the Tuscany Region, directed by Filippo Giabbani. The contributions offer an integrated reading of the role of multinational companies in the Tuscan economic system from two complementary angles: the productive structure and global links on the one hand, and employment dynamics and interactions with the labour market on the other.
The study analyses the presence of foreign-owned companies in Tuscany and their positioning within global production networks managed by multinational companies. Using harmonised information sources and multidimensional indicators, the study classifies companies according to their function (pre-production services, production activities, post-production services) within global production networks and their links with the regional territory. It also provides a profile of the various production and organisational strategies, with a focus on the nature of the parent company and the group structure. The analysis highlights significant heterogeneity among foreign-controlled companies operating in Tuscany, both in terms of the functions performed within value chains and their potential impact on the local economy. The results lay the foundations for future reflections on regional policies to attract and retain foreign investment, in line with territorial development objectives.
The study analyses the role of multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in Tuscany, with particular attention to the composition of occupational qualifications and relations with the local labour market. Integrating administrative and company registry data, the study compares Italian and foreign-controlled multinationals, distinguishing between the nature of control (industrial or financial) and the function performed in the global value chain. The results show that the quality of employment depends mainly on the localised function (pre-production, production, post-production), rather than on the nationality of ownership or the type of group. The analysis of inflows and outflows also highlights how MNEs operate both as attractors of human capital and as channels for the redistribution of skills within the regional system.
