Industrial Flexibility and Small Firn Distrcts: The Italian Case

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the recent debate on 'flexibility' and the role of small firm systems in advanced economies. Conventional images of small firms as harmonious, tension-free organizations as well as union-free environments are criticized. In the flexible specialization literature cultural, social and community ties linking workers, employers and local government are stressed. This paper largely follows this interpretation, focusing on employers' and unions' role in Italian industrial districts in the current phase.