Luxury economy and uneven regional development in two case studies: high-end fashion and yacht manufacturing in Italy

Luxury is a major international sector and a significant area of interest for both scholars and policymakers, primarily because of its economic relevance and transversal nature. It generates positive direct effects, particularly in terms of employment and income, while a range of indirect effects are also associated with the sector. At the same time, luxury is frequently criticised for its environmental impact, for the production of low-quality and insecure jobs, and for its close association with exclusivity and socio-economic inequality. This paper adopts the theoretical framework of the Global Production Network (GPN) to examine how the governance architectures of lead firms shape uneven socio-economic development across territories. Drawing on an extensive empirical research programme based on qualitative data from two case studies in Italy—the high-end fashion industry and the leisure boat industry—the paper investigates the underlying mechanisms at play, structured around two key elements: the strength of local production systems and the construction of symbolic value.