Human Capital Accumulation and Migration in a Peripheral EU Region: the Case of Basilicata

The importance of human capital as a key source of value added, innovation and economic growth is widely acknowledged by both economists and policy-makers. Local governments can directly affect individuals’ decision making by subsidising human capital formation. The ability of a regional system to generate human capital is crucial but it is not a sufficient condition leading to economic success. In this work we emphasise the importance of maintaining and attracting high-skilled individuals, and the challenge that migration flows pose on policymaking aimed at fostering human capital accumulation. Human capital does not always benefits the region where it was funded and the scope for the policy might vanish if the human capital formed locally is lost through migration, as emphasised by the “brain drain” literature. When agglomeration forces are at work, human capital migrates from where it is scarce to where it is abundant, rather than vice versa (Lucas 1988). This can result in migration widening the regional wage and income gap and lowering the standard of living in the peripheral location. Poor regions lose through migration their most valuable residents, the main source of innovation and productivity in a modern economy. This phenomenon contributes in explaining the persistent nature of regional economic imbalances. These consideration are highlighted through the analysis of a case study, the migration decision of a sample of highly educated and skilled individuals residing in a small peripheral Mezzogiorno region (Basilicata) which have benefited from a locally funded human capital investment policy. The regional policymakers, in recognition of the importance of human capital as a key ingredient for regional growth, have given generous subsidies since the beginning of the 90s to young graduates who wanted to attend a post-graduate course outside or inside the region. More than a thousand individuals have benefited from the policy in the last decade, and the target for the period 2000-2006 is to subsidise an additional two thousand individuals. A dataset was generated through a survey questionnaire which aims at directly asking people about their decision whether or not to move and the main factors influencing their decision. For each individual, we have collected data on background, experience and outcome of higher education, opinion on the quality of the course attended, job-search strategy after the course, and space-time career details from the first employment to the current employment status. The policy intervention under scrutiny and in particular the biased nature of the sample (highly skilled and educated individuals) makes the analysis a natural experiment for assessing the ability of the regional system in a peripheral EU region not only to generate human capital but also to maintain it. The focus of the paper is on the micro level migratory behaviour. In particular, we want to shed light on the following questions: (1) Who are the migrants; (2) What are the main factors influencing migration; (3) What is the resulting “geography” of the human capital generated? Is the human capital attracted toward core regions?

Recovery and sanitary selection of local vines of the Sardinia

A study was made on the recovery genotypes local grapevine with the aim to conserve them and to evaluate their health status and thus to improve the quality of the propagation material. Clone accessions of 61 vines were grafted and placed in a germoplasma field. The varieties that were considered enologically valuable were subjected to sanitary selection. Some vines showed indubitable healthy qualities, and should be immediately evaluated from an economical point view and then certificated. Possible sanitation treatments were also evaluated, with the aim of extending the number clone accessions to be included in experimental trials to access their yield

Fundamental building blocks of eumelanins: electronic properties of indolequinone-dimers

We present results from the theoretical INDO calculations of the electronic structure for stacked eumelanins' monomers. As basic indolic components of the eumelanin structure 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI or HQ) and its oxidized forms (SQ and IQ) were chosen. The results reveal dependency of electronic properties of such aggregates on monomers' redox states. They point out also a tendency to localize an extra charge on one of dimer's subunits that could be suggestive of an electron hopping as a model mechanism forthe electron transfer in eumelanins.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure

Contributi alla conoscenza dell'entomofauna della Quercia da sughero (<i>Quercus suber</i> L.): 10.: brevi osservazioni sui coproliti di <i>Malacosoma neustria</i> L. (<i>Lepidoptera Lasiocampidae</i>)

It is observed that populations of Malacosoma neustria (L.) are sometimes found intermingled with those of Porthetria dispar (L.), and, as an aid to identification, the faecal pellets of each of the four larval stages are described

Contributo alla conoscenza dell'entomofauna della Quercia da sughero (<i>Qucrcus subcr</i> L.): 11.: effetti della ritardata alimentazione sulla prima età e sulla durata dello stadio larvale in <i>Porteria dispar</i> (L.): nota preliminare

In order to verify whether delayed budding of host plants might influence the life-cycle and survival capacity of P.dispar (L.) four population groups or the Limantrid were compared after initiating alimentation of diffe rent dates. The group deprived of food for the first II days after hatching took the sarne time to reach the adult stage without any extra mou1ts. but with only 38% survival rate

Do we really need regional innovation agencies? Some insights from the experience of an Italian region

Increasing globalization, if properly exploited, can provide interesting opportunities for regional economies. Nevertheless, when they are not managed with a far-sighted approach, regions, and particularly those at an intermediate level of development, can lose their comparative advantages compared to regions of developing countries. Innovation is the main instrument for improving and ensuring competitiveness to enterprises and growth opportunities to local economies. The aim of this paper is to discuss the importance of public policies in reinforcing regional innovation systems, and the role of regional innovation agencies. With this in mind, we describe the policies implemented by the Regional Agency for Technology and Innovation (ARTI) of Apulia, a region in Southern Italy. We also provide the first assessment of ARTI’s activities and provide some suggestions on how to improve regional R&D policies.public policy; innovation; regional innovation system; regional competitiveness

Location decision of polluting firms and environmental policy

The delocation of firms is often viewed as a major outcome of a stiff environmental policy. In this paper, we study the impact of a strict anti-pollution policy pursued by a government on domestic firms locational decisions and determine the main variables that interact with such a policy. Some preliminary welfare implications are also provided. Keywords: Environmental policy; Plant location; Imperfect competition. JEL classification: H7; R3; D4.

Osservazioni sulla densità di popolazione di <i>Lymantria dispar</i> l. nelle principali aree subericole della Sardegna

A two year survey (1980·81) was carried out in zones adjacent to roads running through the principal Sardinian cork growing regions. Every 5 km in each region, egg clusters were counted on 40 trees, i.e. 4 radial lines of 10 trees (each line directed towards one of the cardinal points). The results showed a wide population density variability spectrum, indicating those areas likely to suffer total defoliation; summer observations confirmed correspondence between egg cluster counts and damage. Whereas populations in the north of the island showed the highest levels, in the south they were at latency levels. This staggered population fluctuation may possibily be explanied by different sub-populations having been formed due to the distance and natural barriers between the two regions. The survey not only showed the importance of the insect's active and passive diffusion phenomena in determining defoliation extension, but also verified that food availability is a major factor in controlling population density. The relative scarcity in high density populations limited fecundity and prolificity and at times starvation caused mass mortality in the larvae

La Degradazione dei manufatti lignei causata da insetti

The chief coleopters and isopters which attack wooden articles are reported, with particular reference to pest identification for adequate control measures. Bio-ethologycal information useful for pest diagnosis are supplied, as well as predisposing factors and control techniques