Geolocation of mountain businesses: Identifying and characterizing clusters by altitude in the Central Apennines. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poponi, Stefano; Piovesan, Gianluca; Fulco, Irene; Vessella, Federico
• Is Part Of: Land use policy. Volume 120(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Mountain businesses -- Geocoding -- Altimetry -- Apennines -- Localization; Land use -- Periodicals; Land use -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Sol, Utilisation du -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation du -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.7305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2022.106247
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-8377

Abstract

Abstract: Localization is one of the main critical factors that influence the value creation process and performance of a business. Choosing a location to start a business often influences the consequent access to a series of resources and services essential to its development, becoming a key element for its survival. This is even more evident in mountain areas, which are conditioned by key factors such as low population density, the large extension of the territories, the constraints of the infrastructure and transport systems, the presence of protected areas, as well as the attractiveness exercised by larger neighboring centers. This research aims to demonstrate how geographic context and altitude influence the distribution of businesses, revealing entrepreneurial clusters that have the characteristics of mountainousness. Following the Kernel density method for geolocation, the study proposes an original geospatial analysis to characterize the distribution of the enterprises and context of the central Apennines, considering the relationship between the altimetric location and the macro classification by product category, expressed by Nace Section. The study shows articulated areas of concentration and aggregation of mountain enterprises, five primary clusters and six secondary clusters. The former are characterized by a greater density of aggregation influenced by morphological characteristics of the area; the latter better explain the entrepreneurial dynamics and the distribution of the enterprises within the Nace sections, linked to the concept of altitude. Highlights: Aiming to deepen the mountainousness degree and the entrepreneurial dynamics associated with altitude. Geocoding analysis of businesses is conducted to understand the context of the Central Apennine. Mountain clusters are identified and the relationship between altitude and Nace sections is investigated. Relevant actions for the economic development of the mountain territory are suggested.