Technical Change, Non-Tariff Barriers, and the Development of the Italian Locomotive Industry, 1850-1913

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: University of Rome Tor Vergata; Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC HISTORY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0022-0507
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022050715001114
• 发表日期: 2015
• 页码: 860-888
• 关键词: technology; GROWTH

摘要

The locomotive industry was one of the relatively sophisticated high tech sectors in which Italy, a late industrializer, was successful before 1913. Using technical data on the performance of different vintages of locomotives, we construct a new industry-level index of technical change. We also study the impact of different policy instruments (import duties, non-tariff trade barriers, and other discretionary interventions) in shaping the development of the industry. Our reassessment reveals not only the sound technological performance of Italian locomotives and successful industry growth, but also the critical role played by non-tariff barriers for the development of the industry.