Vita e Pensiero

This paper estimates the extent of downward wage rigidity in Italy using a micro-econometric model and the recently released WHIP longitudinal data. The econometric approach distinguishes between downward nominal wage rigidity – i.e., the impediment to nominal wage cuts – and downward real wage rigidity – i.e., when nominal wages cannot grow by less than a minimum positive threshold. The model accounts for measurement error and flexibly specifies the counterfactual, rigidity-free wage change distribution. The period analyzed goes from the mid eighties to the end of the century, within which the 1992-1993 income agreements – with the abolition of the scala mobile – are situated. Overall, downward wage rigidity impacts on about 70% of the observations. However, in the periods following the income agreements, the impact of wage rigidity is reduced, in particular with regards to real rigidities (with a slight increase in nominal rigidities). In each sub-period, however, real rigidities prevail over nominal rigidities.

The paper aims at explaining the ineffectiveness of the tripartite social pact of July 1993 (the so-called July Protocol) in fostering growth, further to curbing inflation and favouring employment. In the light of labour productivity dynamics, wage moderation after 1993 appears as a significant wage deflation. In an economy with relevant segments sheltered from international competitiveness, privatisations and wage deflation have combined in favouring rent accumulation; so that, unexpectedly, wage moderation has combined with a sensible competitive loss and with slow growth. Changes in the fundamental relationships among growth, profits, investment and employment show deterioration in the quality of new jobs and an employment-productivity tradeoff, which are discussed with refer- ence to innovation, workplace re-organisation and relational goods accumulation. Within the industrial relations system, major shortcomings can be traced to the poor engagement of social partners in preserving the credibility of the Pact. The concluding recommendations aim at resolving the incompleteness of the Protocol, and helping the Italian economy to enter the «high road» to competitiveness.

Experiments show that players with identical information and objectives have heterogeneous behavior rules. We formulate how different beliefs arise from the same information and analyze how heterogeneous belief formation affects learning outcomes of two-person two-action coordination games. With heterogeneous belief formation, it is possible to generate enough diversity in actions for eventual coordination, which is impossible under the ordinary adaptive learning model. When each player uses the same function to compute a belief over time, diversity of belief formation functions within or across populations is suffcient for convergence to coordination. When players choose belief-formation functions as well as actions over time, diverse adjustment of belief-formation functions is suffcient. A risk-dominant equilibrium is more likely to emerge than a payoff-dominant equilibrium since the former is more likely to be predicted by the players.

The article analyzes some recent episodes concerning slavery-like practices and human trafficking reports. The problem seems particularly crucial in the industrialized world where the flow of illegal migrants is directed. After a summary of the international covenants concerning slavery and its unethical aspects, a sociological explanation of the phenomenon will be proposed. Besides the obvious economical benefits of disposing of low-wage workers in a highly competitive environment, we will try to understand the «social functions» of slavery today. The structure of modern society is the result of a long historical evolution. Yet, modern society is also full of contradictions. Social stability and cohesion are based upon a hierarchical organization in which some individuals or groups occupy the lowest levels of the social ladder. Today, this position is covered by the «new slaves». In this perspective, slavery appears to be both «necessary» and «compulsory» in enhancing social unity and identity.

This paper assesses the role of competition in explaining efficiency in the Italian manufacturing industries. Technical efficiency differentials are measured by applying the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method on a panel of firms from 43 industries at 3- digit level, over the 1983-1991 period. The average level of efficiency of each industry is then related through econometric techniques to some factors reflecting the degree of competition. Economic literature states that a tougher competitive environment is efficiency enhancing and we find a negative link between efficiency and concentration. Moreover, efficiency declines more slowly when the level of concentration is higher, whereby suggesting a non-linear relationship. These results have policy implications. The processes of liberalisation and privatisation in Italy should take into account the benefical effects of a more competitive environment.

In this paper we investigate the convenience for a destination to specialize in mass-tourism or in élite-tourism. We take a micro-economic dynamic perspective, and propose a theoretical model, able to explain the switch in this kind of specialization, which is easily observed in several cases. We also study the case in which it is possible for a destination to select a combination between mass – and élite – tourism and we characterize the optimal degree of composition between these two extreme cases.