Knowledge triggers regional growth. Evidence suggests that skilled labor force concentrates in islands of innovation, determining an advantage for innovative regions and a challenge for lagging ones. We address the role of knowledge in shaping effective markets for skilled labor. Estimates are...

We design a conceptual framework for linking two approaches: the literature on absorptive capacity and the literature on spatial knowledge spillovers. Regions produce new knowledge, but only part of it is efficiently adopted in the economy; the share of efficiently adopted technology depends on...

In Europe, the economic contraction starting in 2007-2008 has called for new economic policy tools. This paper analyses one of such policies, i.e. the network contract. Network Contracts are an innovative policy introduced in Italy with Law 9 April 2009, N. 33. This policy fosters the creation...