Transport infrastructure, logistics and firms in Italy. Some empirical evidences in peripheral regions

The infrastructures provide support to services. There are economic infrastructures, that include networks that can allow movement and communication possibilities (streets, motorways, ports, airports, railways, telephony, telematics) or the distribution of general (bank networks) and energy-environmental services; on the other hand, there are social infrastructures that include educational, cultural, health and leisure-related services. Transport models are increasingly reflecting relations among areas as communications allow information to be spread; they are one of the elements of the organisational network of territories. Regional and global processes establish strategies and cooperative public/private interventions, as well as they trigger several investments in different fields such as technical innovations, infrastructures, transport integration and telecommunications, thus developing interconnections and synergies between the different transport modes in order to enhance multi- and inter-modalities. The logistic organization becomes a fundamental part of the competitive strategies, even if in smaller enterprises the development of logistics can result in a threat rather than an opportunity. In particular, considering haulage as a trade possibility between the Italian enterprises and the foreign market, it is necessary to look at the change in the Italian production system in all its divisions and in the outsourcing abroad, not only as FDIs (Foreign Direct Investments). In this context it is possible to outline an analysis of the fourth industrial revolution, called Industry 4.0, which aims at fostering digital economy, and which affects all production, transport and logistics processes, even in vulnerable areas. The present contribution aims at highlighting the different infrastructures, in particular transports, and at considering the impacts and investments carried out and related to the mentioned infrastructures, both from an internal and international point of view. Moreover, the reflection concerns the role that Industry 4.0 and the related digital breakthrough are playing in the regions of Southern Italy and, in particular, in Apulia. Keywords: Transports, logistics, productive system, small and medium enterprises, South of Italy, Apulia