The role of agglomeration and technology in shaping firm strategy and organization

The growing number of contributions in recent years is demonstrating that there is a significant presence of business groups, that is, sets of firms legally distinct but belonging to the same owner(s). This phenomenon is not specific to large firms or to the Italian economy, but is widespread among small-and mediumsized firms (SMEs) and other industrialized countries (Barca et al., 1994; Balloni and Iacobucci, 1997; Rosa and Scott, 1999; Loiseau, 2001; Brioschi et al., 2002).