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Understanding why some countries are prosperous while others fail in achieving high standards of welfare and wellbeing is one of the most interesting and investigated topics in economics. Several candidate exlplanations have been proposed, for instance cultural factors (Banfield 1958, Putnam 1993), geographical determinism (Diamond 1997), institutional determinants (North 1990, Acemoglu 2000, Acemoglu 2012). Interestingly, a common feature of any theoretical argument is that each of them fits well with the recent European history. If it is the theory which has been adapted to Europe or if it is Europe which presents the characteristics suited to successful economic growth is debatable. According to Landes (1999), it is just a stylized fact that Europe took and kept the lead for at least the last one thousand years. Therefore, even though "some would say that Eurocentrism is bad [.], hence to be avoided", it can be understood as an aknowledgement of history. Of course, there is not full agreement on the topic and different perspectives on the matter have been proposed (Hobson 2004). Whatever the story is, the European case is an interesting one, both in historical and in current terms. Indeed, since the Nineteenth century Europe (and the Western World) has been undertaking a continuous growth process, achieving unprecedented levels of wealth. Such a historical path allowed the Western countries to take the lead economically and politically. Using Landes (1999) words, "we live in a world of inequality and diversity, in which there are three kinds of nations: those that spend lots of money to keep their weight down; those whose people eat to live; and those whose people don't know where the next meal is coming from". Europe and the West have been constantly in the first kind. However, richies have never been evenly distributed also within rich countries and this is true for Europe as well. In particular, European geography has been characterized by a growing dichotomy. On the one hand, some countries have been performing succesfully, maintaining levels of wealth which are top standards on a global scale. This is the case for continental countries, including Scandinavian economies and the United Kingdom. On the other hand, other countries have been falling behind and have not been able to keep in touch with the fast growing core. In this group we find the so called South of Europe, i.e. the Mediterranean countries, as well as the former sovietic Eastern economies. Of course, disparities have always been with us and this is not necessarily bad, since growth does not need to be a perfectly balanced process (Hirschman 1958). However, such an issue becomes relevant as long as national and regional disparities either do not reduce or worsen overtime. This is even more important if the diverging economies belong to the same political entity. This is precisely the case of Europe, in particular of the European Union, a political and economic construct in which policy interventions have been implemented in the last decades to foster convergence and cohesion between economies. This dissertation investigates some of the main topics in the empirical literature on economic growth. The scope is to assess empirically the validity of some theoreatical statements and policy provisions, focussing mostly on European economies because of their peculiar economic history. A broader cross-country analysis is also provided in the last section. As a first step we will test whether under some specific circumstances economies will tend to get closer and closer in terms of wealth. Theoretically, following Solow (1957), the standard neoclassical model predicts that one should find evidence of convergence, in the sense that poorer economies ar expected to grow faster than richer ones (Barro 1992, Mankiw 1990). Of course, this holds as long as economies are similar in terms of structural characteristics (as the composition of output and the distribution of labour force across sectors) and technology. Hence, the first part of this dissertation will address unconditional convergence in European regions from 1990 to 2007, a relitvely homogeneous set of economies, emphasizing the role of sectoral dynamics in shaping aggregate outcome. The analysis of the dynamics of economic output provides an insightful picture of trends in economic growth and inequality between regions, fully describing the evolution of the distribution. Even though some policy implications can be drawn, they are quite limited. Indeed, such an unconditional analysis does not allow to tell which factors are positively associated with economic performance and which are not. The second section of this dissertation explores this line of research by focusing on two domains which have become particularly relevant after the last crisis in 2008: deregulation and liberalization of the labour market, fiscal parameters. The last part of this work takes a broader perspective on economic growth and correlated phenomena, also enlarging the sample under analysis beyond the European Union. One of the emerging topic in the empirical literature concerns the investigation of the relationship between environment degradation and economic growth. If at a first glance a positive relationship may be the more obvious pattern, some theoretical arguments suggest that under specific conditions environmental degradation may start declining at higher levels of GDP. In particular, three factors may be fostering such a process: environmental friendly technological innovation, structural change towards less energy-intensive activities, change in individual preferences together with regulation. Given this set of hypothesis, starting from the Nineties a large amount of empirical studies has been investigating the relationship between various indicators of environmental degradation and GPD. The main scope is to test empirically the so called Environmental Kuznetz Curve hypothesis, which states that environmental degradation increases with income until a threshold level, after which the relationship turns negative. The main idea is that at a sufficiently high level of income the three mechanisms above will trigger the switch in the relationship. We will test this hypothesis for a large sample of countries, augmenting the standard model in order to account for convergence in environmental degradation.

Human resource management (HRM) has an important responsibility in supporting higher levels of business sustainability development (BSD). In the past decade, traditional strategic HRM focused on economic goals has been supplemented by environmental and social imperatives, framing a new approach called sustainable HRM (SHRM). My research addresses HRM and sustainability linkages. Little research has been carried out on how human resource (HR) professionals' roles can fit with a spectrum of levels of BSD. In addition, the communication of HRM supporting sustainability has been explored privileging a quantitative approach. I argue that the relationship can be understood in a complementary way through qualitative and temporal analysis and that different scientific paradigms are needed to enrich the knowledge. The research is structured as a collection of three scientific articles. First, three typologies of HRM professionals' roles for three levels of BSD are built grounded on roles and paradox theories through a methodological roadmap expressing inherently paradoxical roles and mindsets. This first article is based on a post-positivist, functionalist and universalist approaches. Secondly, a visual rhetoric analysis of photographs in sustainability reports is conducted in a single case study to interpret the messages embedded in the disclosure of the relationship of HRM and sustainability. Finally, the analysis is complemented by a temporal visual rhetoric analysis, which enables us to identify the themes of capabilities, relationships, vulnerability, happiness and national identity that go beyond the standardization of annual reports. The dynamic analysis suggests that the evolution of the disclosure is dependent on contingency in contradiction with sustainability commitment. The second and third articles are underpinned on a subjectivist, constructivist and contextual approach. This research concludes that there is a need to update the HRM roles for BSD and that the relationship between HRM and sustainability is the result of ideologies, contextual and contingent features that are hidden in visual artefacts. My significant contribution to the knowledge is that this research expands the SHRM approach by adopting functionalist and constructivist paradigms, as well as offering methodologies for typology building, unique visual rhetoric procedure and temporal analysis, bridging macro and organizational levels. It raises unexpected issues such as organizational myth making, legitimation of practices, and political and colonial heritages for discussion among practitioners, corporate governance and policy makers. This research illuminates the need to work simultaneously in normative and interpretative perspectives of mindsets to advance in a SHRM approach for the good of the planet.

In the last 25 years, a vast empirical literature has seriously chal- lenged many assumptions on which the standard microeconomic approach is based. Inspired by this evidence, behavioural economics suggests that a research program that integrates the economic, psychological and neuro- scientific literature can provide a theory of human decision-making with stronger descriptive, predictive and normative power. This interdisci- plinary approach does not necessarily imply abandoning the neoclassical modelling tools and losing analytical tractability. As an example, the evo- lution of the economic theory on intertemporal choice is presented, show- ing that some standard economic assumptions can be viewed as special cases in which self-control and dynamic consistency are always guaranteed.

2006/2007 ; Questa tesi indaga, sotto il riferimento teorico della Value Chain Analysis e della Teoria delle Convenzioni, i dispositivi di qualificazione di prodotto e le corrispondenti forme di coordinamento che gli attori del contesto produttivo caffeicolo brasiliano e del Minas Gerais hanno, nel corso della storia, adottato come strategia di sopravvivenza prima e, in seguito, di crescita. In questa analisi, particolare rilevanza viene data allo spazio e al ruolo della referenza territoriale, quale dispositivo di qualificazione del prodotto caffè e strategia di sviluppo nella storia caffeicola brasiliana. Il fine ultimo è di analizzarne una sua specifica dimensione, quella del terroir, presentandone concetti, definizioni, e mettendo in luce, in via descrittiva, possibili approcci per la sua caratterizzazione pedologico - spaziale. Chiude un'indagine conoscitiva di caratterizzazione climatico – produttiva del terroir di una zona rinomata per la produzione caffeicola del Minas Gerais. ; XIX Ciclo ; 1979

This article explores the possibility of applying the tools of economic analysis of law, which are traditionally used in the field of private law, to public law as well. The first part investigates constitutional law issues, addressed by prevailing approaches through the social contract framework, by applying an agreement model to a general public good such as the State. This model is typically based on games with features of the 'prisoner's dilemma.' Through the analysis of constitutional preferences that may transform such dilemma in a game with full cooperation equilibrium, two types of preferences are compared: 'utilitarian based on impartiality principle' & 'rawlsian based on difference principle'; it is shown that this second type better facilitates the constitutional agreement. With the objective of utilizing more easily economic theory tools, the article then attempts to apply the distinction between private & public good to that between private & public rights. In particular, both public goods & public rights can be assimilated as they are non-excludable & non-transferable through exchanges or contracts. Moreover, an attempt is made to define an economic counterpart to the juridical notion of 'general interest' which is the basis for those norms in the fields of public & administrative law envisaging the direct intervention of the State to remedy market failures, both at constitutional & sub-constitutional level. Hence the question of what are the most efficient legal procedures to solve such problems is addressed. Using above all the case of negative externalities related to private goods, the article discusses in particular when it is more efficient to resort to administrative interventions rather than judicial ones; or otherwise allowing such problems to be dealt with through private bargaining between injured & injurers. In this respect the latest literature of economic analysis of law often favors private bargaining in the spirit of Coase's thinking. However, it is here put forward that in terms of cost-benefit analysis economic theory reaches much less radical conclusions often supporting the higher efficiency of legal rules & administrative types of intervention. In the final part of the article, different legal systems (minimal, neoliberal, welfarist) are compared by way of analyzing their rationale & limitations from an efficiency point of view. Adapted from the source document.

In this paper we show how French Theory of Regulation has been considered in the Italian political economic debate. The Regulation Approach givessome explanations of the Fordist crise, by using methodological toolswhich are based on an historical- analytical one. It is relevant that themain book which gave life to Regulation Approach (A Theory of Capitalistic Regulation, by Michel Aglietta, first edition 1976) hasnever been translated in Italian. Nevertheless many ideas fromRegulationits have been spread during the 90's in the socio-politicalItalian debate about Post-fordism, and have been also influenced Italianneo-Schumpeterian analysis on the innovative firm. The reasons of thescarce fortune of Regulation Theory in Italy should be explain refering toa sort of provincialism in the Italian studies in economic theory whichare more affected by Anglo-Saxon economic literature than French one;secondly, if we consider the Italian heterodox studies during the 70'sbecause of the monopoly of the Italian Marxian-Sraffian debate abouttransformation from values to prices. In section 2 we analyse theMarxist theoretical backgrounds of Regulation Theory in relation with themonetary approach followed by the Italian scholars of Monetary CircuitTheory (Graziani et alii). In the last section we argue that the debatebetween French Regulation Approach and Italian Workerism represents the fundamentals of the recent hypothesis of Cognitive Capitalism.

The current deceleration in international trade TEMPhas remote causes. The long slowdown -despite the perception of continuous globalization - is only partially a consequence of the economic and financial crisis of 2007-2009. Its main driving force TEMPhas been neo-protectionism, implemented by the economic policies of the major areas and powers of the world. The research, using the integrated tools of economic theory and Development Geography, investigates the impact of neo-protectionism implemented by major areas - closed to the outside world through the modern border - on the world economy and its TEMPeffects on the "Second World" and the global South in the agricultural field. As a "global ballast", neoprotectionism is responsible for the underdevelopment and forthcoming regionalization of economies.

Luxemburg's legacy is customarily reduced to two "errors": crude economic determinism, and blind belief in the spontaneity of the masses. The paper reconstructs Luxemburg's arguments about the tendency to the "final" breakdown of capitalism and her criticism of Lenin, and shows how her economic theory and political perspective are different and much richer than usually recognized. The paper shows that firstly, Luxemburg saw the internal link between value, abstract labour and money; secondly, she emphasized the connection between dynamic competition, relative surplus value extraction, and the "law" of the falling tendency of the "relative wage"; thirdly, her theory of the crisis is not underconsumptionist. The paper also assesses Luxemburg political views: her theory of the party, very different from the one held by the Bolsheviks; and her point of view on the trade unions, with reference to a work by Claudio Sabattini. Thus, in the end, Luxemburg's questions seems to be more interesting than her critics' answers, her defeats more fruitful than her opponents' victories. ; 1 ; riccardo.bellofiore@unibg.it ; open ; Non definito ; open ; Bellofiore, Riccardo ; Bellofiore, Riccardo

Pantaleoni and Pareto re-established economic theory on the basis of homo oeconomicus which, despite criticisms, went on to become a strangely popular concept, not only among economists, but even in common parlance, where it has assumed a confusing variety of meanings. With a view to setting things in order, this book distinguishes: the methodological hypotheses, which could possibly be corrected on the basis of new economic psychology; the weak anthropologies, retrievable as 'given abstractions' within typical contexts; and finally the extreme versions, that reduce human nature to absolute egoism. The author makes a radical criticism of the latter, drawing upon the extensive tools derived from psychology, philosophical anthropology and political philosophy, and thus succeeds in demonstrating their lack of empirical foundation, their conceptual inconsistency and their ideological dangerousness.

In a context of geo-political changes, the Arab and Islamic world re-discovers, as usual in moments of crisis, the social and economic thought of Ibn Khaldun and his concept of assabiya to analyse the challenges and the risks of the present times. There is, also, a significant attempt to found an autonomous and autochtonous way of political approach in order to attribute a local philosophical origin and intellectual paternity to the recent revolts in contrast with any "westernized" aspect or interpretation.

This paper examines Steiner's theory of the 'threefold social order', with the aim of evaluating its relevance and feasibility today. After describing Steiner's attitude and positions towards the economic, political and cultural problems of European society in his time, the analysis focuses on his proposals for the reorganization of the respective sectors, with an interpretative effort aimed at grasping his lines of argumentation. The system proposed by Steiner es-sentially provides for autonomous management of the economic, politicallegal and school sectors. His proposals highlight the benefits that would derive from such a new social order. Greater effectiveness of the education system, safeguarding the dignity of the worker, and promoting individual capabilities are some of the advantages that he claims would derive from this new structure. Finally, the study attempts to make an overall assessment of the theses defended by Steiner in relation to our current era, although with an awareness that the debate remains open. ; Il presente lavoro di ricerca prende in esame la teoria steineriana della triar-ticolazione dell'organismo sociale con l'intento di valutarne attualità e realizzabilità. Dopo uno sguardo all'atteggiamento assunto da Rudolf Steiner di fronte ai problemi economici, politici e culturali della società europea a lui contemporanea e alle sue prese di posizione, l'analisi si sofferma sulle sue proposte di riorganizzazione dei rispettivi settori, con uno sforzo interpretativo volto a coglierne i termini esatti. Il sistema proposto da Steiner prevede sostanzialmente una gestione autonoma del settore economico, di quello politico-giuridico e di quello scolastico, e nel far questo mette in risalto i benefici che deriverebbero da un simile nuovo assetto sociale. Maggiore efficacia del sistema di istruzione, salvaguardia della dignità del lavoratore, valorizzazione delle attitudini individuali sono alcuni dei vantaggi che deriverebbero da quel nuovo assetto. L'indagine svolta tenta infine di fare un ...

In the search for new models of environmental, economic and social sustainability, the urban dimension is the one that offers greater possibilities for experimentation. The cities, in fact, as places of accumulation of environmental and socio-economic problems, are at the forefront in addressing contemporary challenges related to climate change and the exponential trend of population concentration, and can become laboratories for creative and innovative actions oriented to a sustainable and equitable development. In particular, the issues of analysis and social space, the quality of public space, its accessibility, safety, welfare and quality of urban life in general must take account of design methodologies, target oriented, attentive to the specific needs of a plural society, sensitive to differences (sex, age, race, language, religion, culture, social conditions). In this context, the programs at the international level on equal opportunities are intended to contribute to the achievement of the "Millennium Development Goals" through gender mainstreaming policies and actions, to be taken even in the field of urban planning, management and governance. It is an unavoidable challenge that requires responsibility and commitment on the part of the different local actors so that the joint action of top-down strategies of gender mainstreaming planning and bottom-up policy can produce effective results. In light of these remarks, and with reference to specific case studies, the paper proposes a reflection on the need for a "gender sensitive" lens in urban planning – also intertwined with issues of transportation, safety and security, accessibility of places, times and schedules planning – able to guarantee urban quality, social inclusion and active participation for smarter cities. ; ITALIANONello scenario globale di ricerca di nuovi modelli di sostenibilità ambientale, economica e sociale, la dimensione urbana è quella che offre maggiori possibilità di sperimentazione. Le città, infatti, in quanto luoghi di accumulazione di problemi ambientali e socio-economici, sono in prima linea nell'affrontare le sfide contemporanee legate al cambiamento climatico e al trend esponenziale di concentrazione demografica, e possono trasformarsi in laboratori di creatività, innovazione e partecipazione per azioni orientate ad uno sviluppo durevole ed equo. In particolare, i temi dell'analisi spazio-sociale, della qualità dello spazio pubblico, della sua accessibilità, della sicurezza, del welfare e della qualità urbana in generale devono tener conto di metodologie di progettazione target oriented, attente alla specificità dei bisogni di una società plurale, sensibile alle differenze (di età, sesso, razza, lingua, religione, cultura, condizioni sociali). In questo contesto, i programmi a livello internazionale sulle pari opportunità hanno lo scopo di contribuire al raggiungimento degli "Obiettivi di Sviluppo del Millennio" attraverso politiche e interventi gender mainstreaming, da prevedere anche nel campo della pianificazione urbanistica, gestione e governance. Si tratta di una sfida inevitabile che richiede responsabilità e impegno da parte dei diversi attori territoriali affinché l'azione congiunta di strategie top-down di gender mainstreaming planning e politiche bottom-up possano produrre risultati concreti. Alla luce di quanto finora esposto, e facendo riferimento a specifici casi di studio, il contributo propone una riflessione sulla necessità di una prospettiva gender sensitive nella pianificazione urbanistica – pure intrecciata ai temi dei trasporti, della sicurezza, dell'accessibilità dei luoghi, della pianificazione dei tempi e degli orari – con indubbi effetti positivi in termini di qualità urbana, inclusione e partecipazione attiva per città più intelligenti.