Regional heterogeneity in the business environment: the case of Italy

How do we evaluate the business environment of regional economies? This paper makes use of primary data from the World Bank’s Subnational Doing Business studies to analyze the capacity of Italian regions to facilitate entrepre- neurs in setting up and operating new businesses. By comparing data across locations and over time, we are able to identify best practices that may help policy makers in the implementation of reforms aiming at improving the business environ- ment of Italian regions and, as a result, of the country.