Agenda

22 Oct 2025 14:30

Research Seminar | Is it still possible to open a green window of opportunities in the EV sector?

Campus San Giobbe -

Is it still possible to open a green window of opportunities in the EV sector? Evidence from FDI in the automotive sector.
A research seminar by Guendalina Anzolin

Abstract
The rise of industrial policy supporting Electric Vehicles (EVs) production and sales has been a dominant trend globally. Firms are quickly responding to these changes, readapting production processes, increasing verticalization and supporting cross-border investments. We apply the green windows of opportunities (GWO) conceptual framework to address the role of FDIs as channels to opening up GWO in the automotive sector, particularly in the production of electric vehicles (EVs). In this paper, we argue that the framework would benefit from adding a cross-cutting dimension on FDIs, especially in a sector like automotive, where FDIs have been playing a critical role in the industry configuration. Leveraging granular data from FDIs from Orbis Cross Border Investment dataset, we employ a network analysis to investigate the evolution of FDIs flows, with a focus on the emergence (or lack thereof) of new countries vis-à-vis incumbents. Our findings reveal that, despite some interesting changes in the network analysis, incumbents represent the lion’s share in both inwards and outwards FDIs, confirming existing literature on the automotive sector about the challenges in opening a green window of opportunity.

Guendalina Anzolin is an economist and researcher at the Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge. She holds an MSc in Global Economic Governance from SOAS University of London and a PhD from the University of Urbino. Her primary focus is on industrial policy and technological change, with a specific emphasis on structural change in emerging countries. She collaborates with international organizations including UNIDO, the EU JRC, and the Inter-American Development Bank. From 2020 to 2021, she worked as an economist in the Conte II government. In 2023, she co-authored the book "30+1 cifre che raccontano l’Italia. L’economia italiana alla prova dei numeri," published by Castelvecchi.

Language

The event will be held in English

Organized by

Venice School of Management

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