Global commodity cycles and linkages a FAVAR approach

In this paper we examine linkages across non-energy commodity price developments by means of a factor-augmented VAR model (FAVAR). From a set of non-energy commodity price series, we extract two factors, which we identify as common trends in metals and a food prices. These factors are included in a FAVAR model together with selected macroeconomic variables, which have been associated with developments in commodity prices. Impulse response functions confirm that exchange rates and of economic activity affect individual nonenergy commodity prices, but we fail to find strong spillovers from oil to non-oil commodity prices or an impact of the interest rate. In addition, we find that individual commodity prices are affected by common trends captured by the food and metals factors. JEL Classification: E3, F3commodity prices, Exchange Rates, FAVAR, Globalisation, Oil Price

Smart City and Metropolitan Area: the Energy Component in the Case Studies of Genoa and Naples

The Smart City model is now considered one of the opportunities to rethink cities and, in general, the development of urban communities. One of the most relevant themes in the application of the Smart City paradigm is the city/energy relationship and Italian cities are fielding several actions to effectively cope with the energy issues. Nevertheless, actions and projects are often uncritically promoted as ‘smart’, but actually lack innovative contents and methods. Therefore, the aim of this research, of which we present the first findings, is the drafting of a survey, tested through field analysis, of the experimentations of Italian metropolitan areas on the Smart City topic. The in-depth analysis of two case studies, Genoa and Naples, allowed us to compare the actual state of the two cities. We have that they have undertaken a common path in the implementation of strategies to try to transform themselves into Smart Cities, focusing especially on the energy aspects

Implementing Circular Economy in Universities. Successful Practices at Politecnico di Torino (Italy)

The circular economy (CE) concept reported a growing interest as an operationalizing framework, able to support the implementation of sustainable production and consumption, resource use and waste prevention broader concepts. Even if CE is different from waste management, it has traditionally been associated with waste reduction, recycling improvement, and minimization of environmental impacts in cities and territories. Additionally, CE could be a driver for the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On the other side, universities are recognized as key actors in the transition towards sustainable development at the territorial level. Given the use of CE as a possible change paradigm to decouple economic growth from associated environmental impacts, this paper aims at highlighting some of the main successful practices put forwards by an Italian university, Politecnico di Torino, in implementing CE principles.Keyword: Circular Economy, University Sustainability, waste managemen

Are business and economics alike?

This paper investigates the decision of Italian high school leavers to enroll at Economics or Business degree courses. We use data from National Student Register gathered by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research, which provides information for all the students that enroll at the university as well as their academic career. The academic years analysed are 2008-2015. From the aggregate data, we know that at matriculation, the ratio between the enrollment in Economics and Business is 1:3, but what happens in the following years? Is that proportion stable or does it change? We estimate a multiple equation system model for each field of study. First, we focus on the determinants of the decision to enroll. We analyse whether Economics and Business that might be perceived as similar at the time of enrollment, might instead be different in many respects. Second, we exploit the panel component of the dataset to investigate what happens after the first-year: is the student still enrolled in the same field? Or, is the student enrolled in a different major, or in a different topic? We offer policy implications

Rapporti di forza e desiderio mimetico alle origini della storia

The essay reads Herodotus’ tale of Gyges and Candaule as a fundamental archetype of human behavior set at the origins of History. By dramatizing the “mimetic desire” (Girard) within “relations of power” (Ginzburg), the narration represents History in its universality, through the lens of literary characters, symbols and plots. Among the rewritings of the tale, Boccaccio’s Dec., II 7 and Moravia’s novel La donna leopardo show the strength and the flexibility of the archetype in suiting different historical and cultural contexts.The essay reads Herodotus’ tale of Gyges and Candaule as a fundamental archetype of human behavior set at the origins of History. By dramatizing the “mimetic desire” (Girard) within “relations of power” (Ginzburg), the narration represents History in its universality, through the lens of literary characters, symbols and plots. Among the rewritings of the tale, Boccaccio’s Dec., II 7 and Moravia’s novel La donna leopardo show the strength and the flexibility of the archetype in suiting different historical and cultural contexts