Banche dati e nuove metodologie nella Storia Economica. Il database IFESMez e l'analisi delle reti sociali per lo studio del sistema socio-economico del Mezzogiorno (1800-1913)

This paper introduces some of the theoretical foundations, perspectives and applications of digital tools and Social Network Analysis (SNA) in Economic History. We focus on the different fields in which these tools and methodologies have emerged and developed, deeply changing the landscape of historical analysis. More specifically, we discuss and illustrate the interpretative potentials of applying different SNA methods to a newly built large historical database on Southern Italy’s business and entrepreneurial structure across the entire 19th century (IFESMez).