European Research and Innovation Policies
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at analysing the socioeconomic impact of scientific and technological research with a focus on innovation in public services. The context of such analysis is particularly Europe, considering both EU research and innovation policies, and the experience of supernational bodies such as CERN and European Space Agency. The analytical framework is applied welfare economics with a focus on research infrastructures. After a recall of principles of cost-benefit analysis and of the reasons why CBA has been applied to capital-intensive infrastructures (such as in energy and telecommunications), we shall apply CBA to research infrastructures. We shall study the (potential or actual) impact of science on socio-economic welfare and particularly on the delivery of new forms of knowledge-intensive public services, such as for example Earth Observation with satellite, with a discussion of the impact on social inequality.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire: a) an understanding of design and implementation problems of research and innovation policies particularly with a focus on the strategical role of research infrastructures; b) the ability to examine the potential impact of such policies on public services; c) skills in cost-benefit analysis as applicable in new fields
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
Preliminary program, to be confirmed on the course's website before the beginning of the course.
Module 1 (20 hours): Analysis tools
1.1 Paradigms of science production
1.2 Elements of public economics: public goods and externalities
1.3 Science between the state and the market
1.4 Review of cost-benefit analysis: Financial analysis versus economic analysis
1.5 Shadow prices: empirical methods
1.6 Intertemporal comparisons: net present value
1.7 Uncertainty and risk
1.8 CBA and network infrastructures
1.9 The regulation of network infrastructures
1.10 Examples: energy and telecommunications
Module 2 (20 hours): CBA of research infrastructures
2.1 The European and global framework: R&D and research infrastructures
2.2 EU policy
2.3 An ACB model for RIs
2.4 Benefits for scientific communities
2.6 Impact on human capital
2.7 Direct impact on companies: technological externalities
2.8 Externalities related to ICT innovations
2.9 The propagation of innovations (general aspects)
2.10 Direct cultural effects and non-use values
Module 3 (20 hours): Case studies (indicative list, see ARIEL)
3.1 The socio-economic impact of CERN
3.2 CNAO (cancer hadrontherapy)
3.3 Earth observation satellites (Copernicus)
3.4 Satellite navigation (GPS and Galileo)
3.5 Telecommunications satellites (new projects)
3.5 Human Genome Project
3.6 Bio-informatics
3.7 Synchrotron light sources
3.8 Research on fusion and energy sustainability
3.9 Science and social inequality
3.10 Towards new knowledge-based public enterprises?
Module 1 (20 hours): Analysis tools
1.1 Paradigms of science production
1.2 Elements of public economics: public goods and externalities
1.3 Science between the state and the market
1.4 Review of cost-benefit analysis: Financial analysis versus economic analysis
1.5 Shadow prices: empirical methods
1.6 Intertemporal comparisons: net present value
1.7 Uncertainty and risk
1.8 CBA and network infrastructures
1.9 The regulation of network infrastructures
1.10 Examples: energy and telecommunications
Module 2 (20 hours): CBA of research infrastructures
2.1 The European and global framework: R&D and research infrastructures
2.2 EU policy
2.3 An ACB model for RIs
2.4 Benefits for scientific communities
2.6 Impact on human capital
2.7 Direct impact on companies: technological externalities
2.8 Externalities related to ICT innovations
2.9 The propagation of innovations (general aspects)
2.10 Direct cultural effects and non-use values
Module 3 (20 hours): Case studies (indicative list, see ARIEL)
3.1 The socio-economic impact of CERN
3.2 CNAO (cancer hadrontherapy)
3.3 Earth observation satellites (Copernicus)
3.4 Satellite navigation (GPS and Galileo)
3.5 Telecommunications satellites (new projects)
3.5 Human Genome Project
3.6 Bio-informatics
3.7 Synchrotron light sources
3.8 Research on fusion and energy sustainability
3.9 Science and social inequality
3.10 Towards new knowledge-based public enterprises?
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the English language and of microeconomics and statistics
Teaching methods
The teaching method integrates applied welfare economics theory (cost-benefit analysis), case studies, testimonials, and research work in groups (attending students).
Teaching Resources
The official detailed program and related bibliography will be confirmed on the course page later on and is to be considered for exam preparation purposes.
Florio M "Investing in science. Social cost-benefit analysis of research infrastructures (MIT Press 2019),
Florio M "La privatizzazione della conoscenza", Laterza 2021
Guide to Cost-Benefit Analysis of Investment ProjectsEconomic appraisal tool for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020
Florio M "Investing in science. Social cost-benefit analysis of research infrastructures (MIT Press 2019),
Florio M "La privatizzazione della conoscenza", Laterza 2021
Guide to Cost-Benefit Analysis of Investment ProjectsEconomic appraisal tool for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020
Assessment methods and Criteria
Active participation in the classroom, preparation and presentation of a project on a case study and written exam. More details on the course page before the beginning of the course.
SECS-P/03 - PUBLIC ECONOMICS - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Del Bo Chiara Fernanda Maria
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Del Bo Chiara Fernanda MariaProfessor(s)