ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to exploit an innovative spatial econometric approach to map and study the evolving patterns of industrial districts (IDs). The procedure can be classified as a ‐means cluster‐wise regression procedure and is designed to detect homogeneous areas of subcontracting activity. These spatially contiguous aggregations of subcontractors are identified in terms of production function homogeneity and are defined as spatial regimes. Using this procedure, it is possible to detect two important sources of agglomeration economies that are commonly associated with the presence of an industrial district. The methodology is tested on a sample of Italian micro and small‐sized subcontracting firms operating in the footwear industry, showing its effectiveness in identifying the most commonly known IDs in this sector. Most ID regimes are persistent over time, despite the high turnover rates in the local subcontracting population after the 2008 financial crisis. These results can be explained by the presence of locally rooted competencies and context‐specific knowledge bases that persist despite the changing actors operating in the locality. Our evidence also shows that location in an ID does not necessarily entail benefits in terms of performance for subcontracting firms.

Jacopo Canello

Francesco Vidoli

Elisa Fusco

Nicoletta Giudice

Journal of Regional Science

The Journal of Regional Science (JRS) publishes original analytical research at the intersection of economics and quantitative geography. Since 1958, the JRS has published leading contributions to urban and regional thought including rigorous methodological contributions and seminal theoretical pieces. The JRS is one of the most highly cited journals in urban and regional research, planning, geography, and the environment. The JRS publishes work that advances our understanding of the geographic dimensions of urban and regional economies, human settlements, and policies related to cities and regions.

The Journal of Regional Science (JRS) has been publishing original analytical research at the intersection of economics and quantitative geography since 1958. The journal features significant contributions to urban and regional thought, including rigorous methodological studies and seminal theoretical articles. JRS is one of the most highly cited journals in urban and regional research, planning, geography, and the environment, and it aims to enhance our understanding of the geographic dimensions of urban and regional economies, human settlements, and policies related to cities and regions.

《Journal of Regional Science》是一本自1958年以来出版的期刊，专注于经济学与定量地理学交叉领域的原创分析研究。该期刊发表了许多在城市与区域思想方面的重要贡献，包括严谨的方法论研究和开创性的理论文章。《Journal of Regional Science》是城市与区域研究、规划、地理和环境领域中被引用最多的期刊之一，致力于推动我们对城市与区域经济、人类聚落以及与城市和区域相关政策的地理维度的理解。

Category	Quartile
经济学	3
经济学, 经济学	3
经济学, 环境研究	3
经济学, 区域与城市规划	4

Identifying and Mapping Industrial Districts Through a Spatially Constrained Cluster‐Wise Regression Approach

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
REGIONAL & URBAN PLANNING	2