Surviving peace: Resilience and production decentralization in the Italian gun-making district, 1945–1970

Abstract

This article analyzes the key resilience factors of the Italian firearms district after World War II structured around four main questions: resilience of what, to what, by what means, and with what outcome. This study aims to improve and expand knowledge about the capacity and difficulties of industrial districts to adapt to market changes and maintain their competitiveness. Our findings highlight that the successful recovery was based on the conquest of a new market segment and a novel decentralised and flexible—although hierarchical—production structure achieved through the reorganisation of know-how and resources accumulated in the district. The advantages of local clustering and elevated levels of specialisation provided the district with an effective short-term adaptation to the post-war crisis and a stable long-term growth path.