Patterns of Discovery

From a given directed weighted network of knowledge links between technology fields, the paper develops a multisector dynamic model of incremental innovation and R&D activity in these fields. The model is focused on the equilibrium share distribution of these variables, which is proved to be locally stable, with reference to a simple low dimensional case. Simulation methods suggest that local, and also global, stability extend to any model dimension. It is also shown how different network structures map to different asymptotic share distributions. Using the NBER patents and patent citation data files, the analytical framework is then used to analyse some general features of the pattern of knowledge creation and transfer in the period 1975-1999. From a descriptive viewpoint, the changes in the share distribution of innovation activity predicted by the model match reasonably well the actual changes in the perioddirected weighted network, knowledge spillovers, share distribution, incremental innovation and R&D dynamics, local stability, simulation, patents and patent citations

Land consumption and income in Italy: a case of inverted EKC

The EKC hypothesis postulates that the relationship between economic growth and environmental deterioration is represented by an inverted U-shaped function. Its validity has been questioned from several perspectives and a need for public policies has been expressed. This paper uses a heuristic approach to analyze the relationship between per capita income and land consumption, as proxied by the number of Building Permits issued by public authorities. Using data from the Italian regions, we run a panel data regression model to test whether the EKC hypothesis holds. Results confute it, evidencing a U-shaped relationship. In the authors’ opinion, the combined effect of market conditions, lifestyle evolution and institutional and political factors have produced an adverse effect on environment. On this basis, the paper claims that, when social and intergenerational aspects are involved, a balanced mix of market, policies and institutional architecture is needed

Nudging pro-environmental behavior: evidence from a web experiment on priming and WTP

Investigations on state-dependent and endogenous preferences have gained momentum. There is now abundant empirical literature on whether, and how, external stimuli influence or predict people’s behavior and appraisals. In recent decades, attempts have been made to enlarge this strand of research to determine whether “nudging” may help in managing environmental problems and boosting social preferences. Following this line of investigation, we describe a web experiment to analyze the impact of priming on environmental and ethical attitudes and willingness to pay (WTP) for environmental protection. We found that while priming does make pro-environmental attitudes more salient, its frame affects the probability of WTP a premium for environment-friendly goods and the size of the premium. Unlike other authors, we used a visual priming technique based on a short video cartoon about a smartphone lifecycle

"The Pattern of Knowledge Flows between Technology Fields"

This paper exploits recent contributions to the notions of modularity and autocatalytic sets, to identify the functional and structural units of an empirical knowledge pattern that define the strongest systematic and self sustaining mechanisms of knowledge transfer and accumulation within the network. Our analysis reconstructs the architecture of the empirical knowledge pattern based on USPTO patent citation data at the level of resolution of 3-digits technology classes, for the period 1975-1999. Our results are consistent with the idea that the information and communication technologies (ICT), although representing the core of knowledge creation throughout the period, only in the second half became fully integrated with the other sectors

The impact of the introduction of Italian property tax on urban development: a regional regression model

Building on and empirically enlarging a previous study on aggregate Italian national data, this article tests whether the introduction of the property tax into the Italian system has dampened construction activity, as proxied by building permits. The latter are also good indicator of regulatory policy and local government behaviour. The heuristic hypothesis put forward in this article is that, because of concomitant favourable market conditions and the devolution process that began in the 1990s, the introduction of the property tax (ICI) induced municipalities to adopt less tight urban policies to offset budgetary needs and compensate for the reduction in central government transfers. To this end, it estimates an econometric model to verify the impact of the main economic variables on new housing supply. Unlike other studies, this article run an analysis at regional level and test for fixed effects and structural break. Our estimates support our hypothesis, evidencing a time effect. They also confirm that introduction of the ICI tax did not affect the construction sector. Careful attention, therefore, should be given to the issue of whether leaving urban planning and the power to levy property taxes under the same jurisdiction

Local taxation and urban development. Testing for the side-effects of the Italian property tax

Land is an essential yet limited natural resource. Its current unsustainable use asks for a better understanding of themain determinants of urban expansion. A heuristic approach is used to analyze urban development in Italy. In particular, the paper estimates an econometric model to test the impact of the Italian property tax (ICI) on the local authorities' behavior and, in particular, on urban planning and development. It tests whether its introduction has fostered rather than dampened construction activity. The hypothesis put forward is that, because of the concurrent market conditions, the introduction of the tax has facilitated urban development. The structure of the tax and the devolution process that began in the '90s induced local municipalities to adopt less tight (accommodative) urban policies to offset budgetary needs. A more elastic urban policy reduces price volatility. However, its overall welfare effect is not clearly determined. Indeed, ceteris paribus, geographical areas with more elastic housing supply witness larger land consumption. The land use changes we witnessed in the last decades could be the combined effect of financial and fiscal aspects. If this is so, careful attention should be given to the issue of whether leaving urban planning and the power to levy property taxes under the same jurisdiction

EKC and the income elasticity hypothesis Land for housing or land for future?

This paper investigates the relationships between land consumption and per capita gross domestic product (GDP) for a panel of 20 Italian regions over the period 1980-2010. It tests for the existence of an EKC. As proxy of land consumption, it uses the supply of new housing, being residential construction the main cause of soil sealing and urban sprawl. To test this hypothesis it runs a panel data regression model. In the considered period, results show the existence of an inverted EKC whereas, on a longer period, a N-shaped curve may be inferred. Contrary to the EKC hypothesis, both fixed effect and random effect model estimates show that higher income does not induce greater environmental awareness or, in different words, that the income elasticity hypothesis holds for housing demand rather than for environment. The paper offers a tentative explanation of this phenomenon. Considering results and the specificity of the resource under consideration, the paper claims for a shift from market to public policy, from private to pro-social preferences, and for independent institutions and exogenous norms

Integration and Subjective Well-Being Among Off-Site University Students

This study addresses an intriguing issue: does social integration impact on self-reported happiness? Can segregation overwhelm the efects of other determinants claimed to positively afect people’s well-being? Research on this topic normally focuses on racial-based segregation and international migration. This paper calls the attention to what happens when integration involves well-of internal migrants, i.e. of-site university students. Using survey data, we conduct an OPR to detect any relationship between integration and selfreported happiness, controlling for a set of individual characteristics and endogeneity. The results suggest that increased perceived lack of integration is associated with a reduction in happiness

Patterns of discovery

From a given directed weighted network of knowledge links between technology fields, the paper develops a multisector dynamic model of incremental innovation and R&D activity in these fields. The model is focused on the equilibrium share distribution of these variables, which is proved to be locally stable, with reference to a simple low dimensional case. Simulation methods suggest that local, and also global, stability extend to any model dimension. It is also shown how different network structures map to different asymptotic share distributions. Using the NBER patents and patent citation data files, the analytical framework is then used to analyse some general features of the pattern of knowledge creation and transfer in the period 1975-1999. From a descriptive viewpoint, the changes in the share distribution of innovation activity predicted by the model match reasonably well the actual changes in the period

In Virus Veritas Lockdown and Happiness Under COVID-19

It is widely accepted that individual happiness is not, or not solely, related to material possessions, at least once basic needs are fulfilled. It has been demonstrated that interpersonal relationships and social capital matter too, and people whose values are more centred on material possessions have a greater probability of being less happy. Is this still true during the COVID-19 pandemic, when interpersonal relations, health and economic security are threatened and feelings of insecurity emerge? This is the issue that we address in this paper. We exploited the unique natural situation of the pandemic and lockdown in Italy to investigate the relationship between happiness and relational and material goods. Data collected by questionnaire during the lockdown suggests that the main direct effect of the pandemic on the happiness of respondents was related to the effect of the pandemic and lockdown on interpersonal relationships. Those who declared that COVID and lockdown had jeopardized their interpersonal relationships were significantly less likely to report higher levels of happiness, especially when controlling for other personal and contextual covariates. An important gender, religious and town size effect also emerged. Moreover, relational goods and good health were considered to be the most important determinants of happiness, though people were not so worried about their own health