As a consequence of socio-economic and political transformation, regionalization and globalization are becoming increasingly intertwined economic processes.

Liberalization and globalization of Economy have increased competition among territorial systems as target for foreign direct investments. While some products or services are sold globally and multinational companies formulate their location strategies world-wide, a large part of production (and services supply) is concentrated in specific territories, such as industrial districts or clusters, metropolitan areas, scientific parks, etc.

Furthermore, the decentralization of political structure in Europe has fostered the move towards greater autonomy for local and regional government which have now a more complex role for public action in the area of economic/industrial development.

Supporting local development and territorial systems' competitiveness are crucially important in the Italian economic context characterized by a predominance of Small and Medium Enterprises and the presence of several industrial districts. The competitiveness of local systems change overtime: districts, cities and areas that flourished in the past are now rapidly declining. Increasing rates of technological innovation and markets' evolution contribute to erode the competitive positioning of local systems.

Moreover the rapid growth of developing Countries in the South-East of Asia, of India and China has increased the competition among territories creating new threats to the development and the economic performance of Italian Industrial Districts.

In this scenario, territorial marketing and ad-hoc policies for local production systems are essential tools for the promotion of local economic development.

Knownetlab members have developed significant experiences in research activities (both at national and international level) and training courses on the issues of local development, industrial districts and territorial marketing. In particular, our main competencies are:

- Methodologies and tools for territorial marketing: a) analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of local contexts and their competitive positioning in a broader context; b) support in the definition and initial implementation of a territorial marketing strategy. c) support to local agencies and institutions involved in defining policies for industrial, territorial and occupational growth and for the development of territorial intangible resources (social capital, territorial identity, trust).

- Research studies of sectors, production filière, industrial districts and territorial systems from a structural and relational perspective; analysis of internationalization and relocation processes of industrial districts.

- Research studies on the adoption and diffusion of new information and communication technologies in Industrial Districts and assistance to local agencies and institutions to support the adoption of ICT in the territory;

- Analysis of local occupational and professional requirements and definition of ad hoc training projects.