The Report on “Monitoring Italy” was published for the first time in January 2002. The second issue was released in January 2003. It describes the Italian economy and economic policy to a public of non-resident experts and of non-expert residents. The Report presentations were preceded by a Conference on the single Report Chapters which were presented and debated by national and international experts. The Reports on “Monitoring Italy” 2002 and 2003 are written in English and are available on this website. Selected works taken from the Conference have been published in a special edition of the “Rivista di Politica Economica”.

The Scientific Committee selected for this Conference consists of: Enrico Giovannini, OECD; Alberto Majocchi, ISAE; Ignazio Musu, University of Venice “Cà Foscari”; Luigi Paganetto; University of Rome “Tor Vergata”; Gustavo Piga, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”.

Topics discussed in the Conference:

Plenary Sessions

“Information Technology and the G7 Economies” – (Power Point Presentation)

Dale W. Jorgenson,  Harvard University

“Technology Diffusion, Services, and Endogenous Growth in Europe. Is the Lisbon Strategy Useful?” - (Power Point Presentation) di Pier Carlo Padoan, Fondo Monetario Internazionale; Paolo Guerrieri, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”; Bernardo Maggi, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”; Valentina Meliciani, Università di Teramo.

The presentation of this paper has been followed by a Round Table

Discussants: Mario Baldassarri, Ministry of Economics and Finance; Nicola Rossi, Italian Parliament; Luigi Paganetto, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

Conclusions: Alberto Majocchi, ISAE
Chaired by: Roberto Napoletano, Il Sole 24 Ore

Session: Industrial Districts and Firm Size

Chairman: Ignazio Musu, University “Ca’ Foscari” of Venice

“Why New Firms Never Get Large: Evidence from New Italian Firms” - (Power Point Presentation)
Andrea Bonaccorsi, University of Pisa; Silvia Giannangeli, St. Anna School of Advanced Studies
Discussant: Efisio Espa, ISAE

“Inside the Blackbox: Economic Performance and Technology Adoption when Space and Product Relationships Matter” - (Power Point Presentation)
Leonardo Becchetti, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”; Annalisa Castelli, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

Discussant: Efisio Espa, ISAE

“Social Capital, R&D and Industrial Districts” - (Power Point Presentation)

Giulio Cainelli, University of Bari and Ceris-CNR; Susanna Mancinelli, University of Ferrara; Massimiliano Mazzanti, University of Ferrara

Discussant: Leonardo Becchetti, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

“Size, Growth and Productivity Dynamics in Italian Mechanical Firms” - (Power Point Presentation)

Claudio Gagliardi, Unioncamere; Piero Ganugi, Catholic University of Piacenza; Giorgio Gozzi, University of Parma; Luigi Grossi, University of Parma

Discussant: Leonardo Becchetti, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

Session: ICT and Innovation
Chairman: Marco Malgarini, ISAE

“How Much Does IT Consumption Matter for Growth? Evidence from National Accounts” - (Power Point Presentation)
Francesco Venturini, University of the Marches
Discussant: Carlo Milana, ISAE

“Which Factors Affect IT Investment in European Countries? A Panel Data Analysis” - (Power Point Presentation)
Cecilia Jona-Lasinio, ISTAT; Paolo Guerrieri, University of Rome “La Sapienza”; Stefano Manzocchi, University of Perugia
Discussant: Carlo Milana, ISAE

“ICT, R&D and Productivity Growth: Evidence from Italian Manufacturing Firms” – (Power Point Presentation)
Nicola Matteucci, University of the Marches; Alessandro Sterlacchini, University of the Marches
Discussant: Pasquale Scaramozzino, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

“Innovation and Productivity in European Industries” – (Power Point Presentation)
Mario Pianta, University of Urbino; Andrea Vaona, Birkbeck, University of London and University of Urbino
Discussant: Pasquale Scaramozzino, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

Session: Productivity and R&D Expenditures

Chairman: Enrico Giovannini, OECD

“Is Firm’s Productivity Related to Its Financial Structure? Evidence from Microeconomic Data” – (Presentation)
Francesco Nucci, University of Rome “La Sapienza”; Alberto F. Pozzolo, University of Molise and Ente Luigi Einaudi; Fabiano Schivardi, Bank of Italy
Discussant:  Roberto Torrini, Bank of Italy

“Characterizing the Production Process: a Disaggregated Analysis of Italian Manufacturing Firms” - (Presentation)
Giulio Bottazzi, St.Anna School of Advanced Studies; Marco Grazzi, St.Anna School of Advanced Studies and University of Pennsylvania; Angelo Secchi, St.Anna School of Advanced Studies
Discussant:  Roberto Torrini, Bank of Italy

“Productivity, Spillovers and Human Capital: an Analysis for Italian Firm Data” - (Power Point Presentation)
Sergio De Stefanis, University of Salerno;  Vania Sena, Aston University, Birmingham
Discussant:  Guido Cozzi, University of Macerata

Session: Internationalisation and Growth
Chairman: Gustavo Piga, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

“Attracting Foreign Direct Investments in Europe: Are Italian Regions Doomed?” - (Presentation)
Roberto Basile, ISAE and University of Macerata; Luigi Benfratello, University of Turin and Ceris-CNR;  Davide Castellani, University of Urbino and Centro Studi Luca d’Agliano
Discussant:  Giorgia Giovannetti, National Institute for Foreign Trade

“Productive Internationalisation: Analysis of the Potential Effects on Veneto’s Traditional Industrial Districts” - (Power Point Presentation)
Salvatore Monni, University of Rome “Roma Tre”; Alessandro Spaventa, Leonardo Business Consulting
Discussant:  Giorgia Giovannetti, National Institute for Foreign Trade

“Competitiveness and Success Factors of the Medium Size Enterprises in Italy” - (Power Point Presentation)
Fabrizio Carapellotti, Institute for Industrial Promotion; Marco Iezzi, Institute for Industrial Promotion and University of Rome “Tor Vergata”; Alessandro  Spaventa, Leonardo Business Consulting
Discussant:  Sergio de Nardis, ISAE

“Innovation Dynamics and Employment Effects” - (Power Point Presentation)
Valeria Mastrostefano, ISTAT; Mario Pianta, University of Urbino
Discussant:  Sergio de Nardis, ISAE

Report on Monitoring Italy 2003 (ISAE - Rome, January 10, 2003)

The Scientific Committee set up for this Conference consists of Alessandro Penati, Professor of Firm Finance at the Catholic University of Milan; Franco Peracchi, Professor of Econometrics at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata"; Ignazio Visco, Central Manager of the Bank of Italy and Fiorella Kostoris Padoa Schioppa, ISAE President.

Topics discussed in the Conference and then gathered in the Report:

"The Liberalization of Energy Markets in Europe and Italy"

Presented by Michele Polo, Professor of Microeconomics at the University of Sassari. Discussants: Andrea Boitani, Professor of Economics at the Catholic University of Milan and Maria Maher, Senior Economist at OECD. The debate was co-ordinated by Giacomo Vaciago, Professor of Economic Policy at the Catholic University of Milan.

"The Limits of Statistical Information: How Important Are GDP Revisions in Italy?"

Presented by Claudio Lupi, Professor of Economic Statistics at the University of Molise and Franco Peracchi, Professor of Econometrics at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata". Discussants: Enrico Giovannini, Head of the Statistical Department of OECD and Andrea Ichino, Professor of Economics at the European University Institute. The debate was co-ordinated by Marcello Clarich, Professor of Public Administration at the Rome University “Luiss- Guido Carli”.

"The Italian Educational System: Family Background and Social Stratification"

Presented by Daniele Checchi, Professor of Labour Economics at the University of Milan. Discussants: Marco Buti, Group of Policy Advisers at the European Commission and Innocenzo Cipolletta, President of Marzotto. The debate was co-ordinated by Sabino Cassese, Professor of Public Administration at the University of Rome "La Sapienza".

"Social Security, Private Transfers and Voting Behaviour: the Italian Case"

Presented by Agar Brugiavini, Professor of Economics at the University of Venice "Ca' Foscari" and Vincenzo Galasso, Professor of Economics at the University of Milan “Luigi Bocconi”. Discussants: Daniele Franco, Responsible for Public Finances at the Bank of Italy and Paolo Onofri, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Bologna. The debate was co-ordinated by Renato Brunetta, Professor of Labour Economics at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata". 

Report on Monitoring Italy 2002 (ISAE - Rome, January 10, 2002)

The Scientific Committee set up for this Conference consists of Alberto Alesina, Professor of Economics at the Harvard University; Tito Boeri, Professor of Microeconomics at the University of Milan “Luigi Bocconi”; Francesco Giavazzi, Pro-rector at the University of Milan “Luigi Bocconi”; Fiorella Kostoris Padoa Schioppa, ISAE President.

Topics discussed in the Conference and then gathered in the Report:

"Female Labour Supply and Child Care Opportunities in Italy"

Presented by Daniela Del Boca, Professor of Labour Economics at the University of Turin. Discussants: Riccardo Faini, Director of the Economic and Financial Analysis Department, Ministry of Economics and Finance and Jean-Paul Fitoussi, President of OFCE. The debate was co-ordinated by Renato Brunetta, Professor of Labour Economics at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”.

"Fiscal Federalism and National Health Service in the Italian System of Governments"

Presented by Massimo Bordignon, Professor of Finance at the Catholic University of Milan. Discussants: Michele Boldrin, Professor of Economics at the University of Minnesota and Giacomo Vaciago, Professor of Economic Policy at the Catholic University of Milan. The debate was co-ordinated by Paolo Onofri, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Bologna.

"Institutions, Economic Structure and Performance: is Italy Doomed?"

Presented by Giuseppe Nicoletti, Senior Economist at OECD. Discussants: Olivier Blanchard, Chairman of the Department of Economics at MIT and Innocenzo Cipolletta, President of Marzotto. The debate was co-ordinated by Marcello Clarich, Professor of Public Administration at the Rome University “Luiss-Guido Carli”.

"The Italian University System: Rules versus Incentives"

Presented by Roberto Perotti, Professor of Advanced Macroeconomics at the European University Institute. Discussants: Giulio De Caprariis, Director of the Department for Structural Problems and Public Finance of Confindustria and Amartya Sen, Lament University Professor, at the Harvard University and Master of the Trinity College, Cambridge. The debate was co-ordinated by Umberto Colombo, former Minister of the University and Scientific Research.