My research work has primarily focused on studying the processes of business creation, survival, and growth in relation to structural and territorial factors as well as public intervention. Additionally, I have worked on analyzing innovation processes, with reference both to intellectual property protection systems and the impact of Artificial Intelligence on labor market outcomes. Another research area I have explored is the evaluation of public policies, particularly those aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and business growth. Finally, in recent years, I have started a new line of research focused on measuring the effects of the increasing integration of developing countries into international trade on the characteristics of income distribution within those countries.
Over the past few years, my research activity has revolved around four main topics:
- Entrepreneurship: determinants and consequences;
- Innovation and intellectual property rights protection;
- Evaluation of public policies;
- Globalization and economic growth in developing countries.
Regarding the first topic, I have mainly focused on the study of entrepreneurial demography, with particular attention to the processes of business creation (entry), survival, and size growth (Gibrat's Law). These phenomena have been studied both individually and in relation to structural factors (unemployment, human capital, etc.), territorial factors (industrial districts), and public intervention (national and local policies).
As for the analysis of innovation processes, I have examined both intellectual property protection systems and the relationship between innovation and labor market characteristics, with a particular focus on the technological and organizational determinants of labor demand shifts in favor of more highly skilled workers. These phenomena have been studied both individually and in connection with structural factors (unemployment, human capital, etc.), territorial factors (industrial districts), and public intervention (national and local policies).
Concerning public policy evaluation, particularly those aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and the creation of new businesses, I have applied the concept of counterfactual analysis to regional policies, considering their effect as the difference between what is observed after the intervention and what would have happened in its absence.
Finally, regarding economic growth, I have focused on measuring the effects of the increasing integration of developing countries into international trade on the characteristics of income distribution within those countries, with particular attention to relative poverty.
