Nicola Mattoscio

Output-Orientated Data Envelopment Analysis for Measuring Recycling Efficiency: An Application at Italian Regional Level.

Pro-environmental behaviours associated with reducing, reusing and recycling have become increasingly matters of public policy concern. However, the existing literature on waste management rarely considers the cultural factors associated with predictors and enablers of recycling behaviours, nor has it deeply explored the relation between cultural access and such behaviours. Mindful of the relationship between cultural participation and learning, the main objective of this paper is to examine which Italian regions are ranked among the most ‘efficient’ in recycling, taking into account the variable of cultural participation. Using a Data Envelopment Analysis method applied to Italian regions for the period 2002–2007, we provide a measure of ‘efficiency’ that considers cultural consumptions (as input) and recycling (as output). Public data are drawn from two sources: the Italian Institute of Statistics database, ‘Cultura in cifre’, and the survey ‘Noi Italia – Environment section’. The results from the empirical analysis rank efficient and non-efficient regions in terms of connection between pro-environmental behaviour and cultural participation. The results also indicate a benchmark for ‘inefficient’ regions. The findings add to the discussion of cultural considerations for designing and implementing preventative pro-environmental strategies, that seek to reduce environmental costs and public environmental expenditure by factoring in – rather than out – the importance, role and impact of cultural access and participation.

A multidimensional model analysis in cultural economics: the Italian case.

In modern globalized economies, knowledge is gaining increasing importance as a key productive factor. In this respect, the role of culture in knowledge-based economies is growing significantly, both from a consumption perspective and in production activities. This paper seeks to provide documentary evidence of these new phenomena. After recalling the theoretical foundations of cultural economics, the authors assess the demand for cultural goods and its spatial agglomeration in Italy. A model of multidimensional analysis is tested by considering simultaneously a wide array of variables that account for the demand for cultural activities or for its most market-oriented components.

Evaluation of Scientific Production Without Using Bibliometric Indicators: Decision-Making on a Priori Criteria

The present contribution contains the formalisation of a method (not based on bibliometric indicators) for assigning analytical scores to the scientific production of researchers who challenge in an open competitive exam in a Socioeconomic Scientific Sector. The preliminary decisions of the evaluation board are described subdividing them into six decision steps. The role of decision-making about a priori criteria is pointed out in relation to the respect of the researcher’s identity and of the spontaneous evolution of science. In this work, also an example of application is proposed to the evaluation board. Some algebraic implications are highlighted and it is suggested to reflect on the usefulness of the rules of Boole’s Algebra for the calculation of total scores deriving from the simultaneous application of criteria having different logical characteristics.

Understanding Bruno de Finetti’s Decision Theory: A Basic Algorithm to Support Decision-Making Behaviour

The aim of this work is to present an algorithm inspired to Bruno de Finetti’s decision theory, limited to the version proposed by him in the essay “La probabilita: guida nel pensare e nell’agire” released in 1965. This work is focused on decision theory within the subjective theory of probability conceived by de Finetti. It opens with a brief overview of his theory of probability, followed by a methodological analysis functional to introduce the renowned de Finetti’s example model given for the solution of decision problems. Starting from this example, this work presents a mathematical generalization of the decision algorithm. Afterwards, a real decisional algorithm written in mathematical-style pseudo code is developed. Finally, some conclusive remarks are discussed along with possible future developments.