The italian steel industry in globalization (1970-2000). Crisis and resilience

Abstract

Focusing on the last three decades of the twentieth century, this paper examines the Italian steel
industry within a broader international context. After providing an overview of the steel industry in the leading Western European countries, the paper explores the growth patterns of the sector in Italy and its relationship with the country’s broader development. The role of national and European economic and industrial policies, public sector involvement, and the dynamics between the state and the market are then discussed. Adopting a business history perspective, some company case studies are analyzed. The conclusion highlights key issues that have emerged, followed by an overall assessment of this concluded phase, with an emphasis on its legacy and long-term impact into the twenty-first century.