The evolution of the district model: reverse relocation and the case of the leather-tanning district of Arzignano

In this work we discuss the evolutionary paths of industrial districts. We describe a specific case which illustrates an ‘anomalous’ path but is nevertheless of interest, given its possible replicability in other district contexts. In particular, we examine the evolutionary path of the tanning district of Arzignano, doing so by analysing the results of an empirical survey conducted in 2005. We dwell upon the reasons that have induced the majority of local actors to favour the developmental model which we call ‘reverse relocation’. This is a phenomenon that involves the large presence of immigrant workers and contrasts with the trend during the 1990s, whereby Italian districts relocated some manufacturing activities to countries with low labour costs.