The course aims to provide students with the basic notions of the Economics of Innovation and the related public policies. Particular attention will be given to the study of the economic and social effects of the digital transformation and of the diffusion of environmental technologies. The Italian case will be analyzed with reference to industrial, science and technology policies.
Curriculum
teacher profile teaching materials
- Introduction to the Economics of Innovation
- Innovation and Performance: Growth, Employment, Productivity, Export, Environment
- Diffusion and impact of digital technologies
- The theoretical foundations of Science, Innovation and Technology Policies
- Public policies for eco-innovation
The Italian case
- The characteristics of the Italian innovation system
- The role of public enterprises in the technological and industrial development of Italy
- Industrial Policy in Italy
M. Mazzucato, Lo Stato Innovatore, Laterza, 2014 (only for non-attending students)
Reading list (for all students)
Calvino F. and Virgillito M. E., (2017). The innovation-employment nexus: a critical survey of theory and empirics. Journal of Economic Surveys, DOI: 10.1111/joes.12190.
Caravella S., Cerulli G., Crespi F., Pierucci E. (2025), Eco-innovation, firms’ employment growth, and the mediating role of export activities, Eurasian Business Review
Centro Economia Digitale, CRESCERE INSIEME: Analisi e proposte per un percorso di crescita economica forte, duratura, sostenibile e diffusa. (2022)
Costantini, V., Crespi, F., Marin, G., Paglialunga, E. (2017). Eco-innovation, sustainable supply chains and environmental performance in European industries. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 155, pp. 141-154.
V Costantini, F Crespi, E Paglialunga (2018), The employment impact of private and public actions for energy efficiency: Evidence from European industries, Energy Policy 119, 250-267.
Archibugi D. and Filippetti A., (2015). Knowledge as Global Public Good. In: The Handbook of Global Science, Technology, and Innovation, First Edition. Daniele Archibugi and Andrea Filippetti (eds). DOI: 10.1111/b.9781118739068.2015.00025.x.
Archibugi D. and Filippetti A., (2017). The retreat of public research and its adverse consequences on innovation. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Article in Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.05.022.
Costantini, V., Crespi, F., Martini, C., Pennacchio, L., (2015). Demand-pull and technology-push public support for eco-innovation: The case of the biofuels sector, Research Policy, Vol. 44, pp. 577-595.
Costantini V., Crespi F., Palma, A., (2017), Characterizing the policy mix and its impact on eco-innovation: a patent analysis of energy-efficient technologies, Research Policy, Vol. 46, pp. 799-819.
Caravella, S., Crespi, F., Cucignatto, G., Guarascio, D. (2024). Technological sovereignty and strategic dependencies: The case of the photovoltaic supply chain. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION, 434, 140222.
Centro Economia Digitale, COOPETIZIONE: Aziende e Stati di fronte alla sfida di un mondo che cambia (2024)
Cerulli, G., Poti, B., 2012. Designing ex-post assessment of corporate RDI policies: conceptualization, indicators and modeling. World Rev. Sci. Technol. Sustain. Dev. 9, 2–4.
Caravella S., Crespi F. (2021) The role of public procurement as innovation lever: evidence from Italian manufacturing firms, Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 30:7, 663-68.
Amatori, F., Bugamelli, M., Colli, A. (2011). Italian firms in history: size, technology and entrepreneurship. Bank of Italy Economic History Working Papers, 13, pp. 1–53.
Sabrina Pastorelli, Lo stato imprenditore e la qualificazione tecnologica dello sviluppo economico italiano: l'esperienza dell'iri nei primi decenni del secondo dopoguerra, Banca d’Italia, Quaderni dell’ufficio ricerche storiche, 12 , Dicembre 2006.
Goldstein A., (2003). Privatization in Italy 1993 - 2002: Goals, Institutions, Outcomes, and Outstanding Issues. CESifo Working Paper Series No. 912. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=396324
Munari F., Roberts E. B., Sobrero M., (2002). Privatization processes and the redefinition of corporate R&D boundaries. Research policy, Vol. 31, pp. 31-53.
Programme
General Part- Introduction to the Economics of Innovation
- Innovation and Performance: Growth, Employment, Productivity, Export, Environment
- Diffusion and impact of digital technologies
- The theoretical foundations of Science, Innovation and Technology Policies
- Public policies for eco-innovation
The Italian case
- The characteristics of the Italian innovation system
- The role of public enterprises in the technological and industrial development of Italy
- Industrial Policy in Italy
Core Documentation
Franco Malerba Economia dell’Innovazione, Carocci editore (Ch. 1, 5, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18; non-attending students add chapters 8 and 10)M. Mazzucato, Lo Stato Innovatore, Laterza, 2014 (only for non-attending students)
Reading list (for all students)
Calvino F. and Virgillito M. E., (2017). The innovation-employment nexus: a critical survey of theory and empirics. Journal of Economic Surveys, DOI: 10.1111/joes.12190.
Caravella S., Cerulli G., Crespi F., Pierucci E. (2025), Eco-innovation, firms’ employment growth, and the mediating role of export activities, Eurasian Business Review
Centro Economia Digitale, CRESCERE INSIEME: Analisi e proposte per un percorso di crescita economica forte, duratura, sostenibile e diffusa. (2022)
Costantini, V., Crespi, F., Marin, G., Paglialunga, E. (2017). Eco-innovation, sustainable supply chains and environmental performance in European industries. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 155, pp. 141-154.
V Costantini, F Crespi, E Paglialunga (2018), The employment impact of private and public actions for energy efficiency: Evidence from European industries, Energy Policy 119, 250-267.
Archibugi D. and Filippetti A., (2015). Knowledge as Global Public Good. In: The Handbook of Global Science, Technology, and Innovation, First Edition. Daniele Archibugi and Andrea Filippetti (eds). DOI: 10.1111/b.9781118739068.2015.00025.x.
Archibugi D. and Filippetti A., (2017). The retreat of public research and its adverse consequences on innovation. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Article in Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.05.022.
Costantini, V., Crespi, F., Martini, C., Pennacchio, L., (2015). Demand-pull and technology-push public support for eco-innovation: The case of the biofuels sector, Research Policy, Vol. 44, pp. 577-595.
Costantini V., Crespi F., Palma, A., (2017), Characterizing the policy mix and its impact on eco-innovation: a patent analysis of energy-efficient technologies, Research Policy, Vol. 46, pp. 799-819.
Caravella, S., Crespi, F., Cucignatto, G., Guarascio, D. (2024). Technological sovereignty and strategic dependencies: The case of the photovoltaic supply chain. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION, 434, 140222.
Centro Economia Digitale, COOPETIZIONE: Aziende e Stati di fronte alla sfida di un mondo che cambia (2024)
Cerulli, G., Poti, B., 2012. Designing ex-post assessment of corporate RDI policies: conceptualization, indicators and modeling. World Rev. Sci. Technol. Sustain. Dev. 9, 2–4.
Caravella S., Crespi F. (2021) The role of public procurement as innovation lever: evidence from Italian manufacturing firms, Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 30:7, 663-68.
Amatori, F., Bugamelli, M., Colli, A. (2011). Italian firms in history: size, technology and entrepreneurship. Bank of Italy Economic History Working Papers, 13, pp. 1–53.
Sabrina Pastorelli, Lo stato imprenditore e la qualificazione tecnologica dello sviluppo economico italiano: l'esperienza dell'iri nei primi decenni del secondo dopoguerra, Banca d’Italia, Quaderni dell’ufficio ricerche storiche, 12 , Dicembre 2006.
Goldstein A., (2003). Privatization in Italy 1993 - 2002: Goals, Institutions, Outcomes, and Outstanding Issues. CESifo Working Paper Series No. 912. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=396324
Munari F., Roberts E. B., Sobrero M., (2002). Privatization processes and the redefinition of corporate R&D boundaries. Research policy, Vol. 31, pp. 31-53.
Type of delivery of the course
Front lectures. Lectures are not recorded.Type of evaluation
The course assessment will be based on a small dissertation that students will present during the second part of the course, and on a final written exam. The written exam is based on three open questions on the topics of the course. teacher profile teaching materials
- Introduction to the Economics of Innovation
- Innovation and Performance: Growth, Employment, Productivity, Export, Environment
- Diffusion and impact of digital technologies
- The theoretical foundations of Science, Innovation and Technology Policies
- Public policies for eco-innovation
The Italian case
- The characteristics of the Italian innovation system
- The role of public enterprises in the technological and industrial development of Italy
- Industrial Policy in Italy
M. Mazzucato, Lo Stato Innovatore, Laterza, 2014 (only for non-attending students)
Reading list (for all students)
Calvino F. and Virgillito M. E., (2017). The innovation-employment nexus: a critical survey of theory and empirics. Journal of Economic Surveys, DOI: 10.1111/joes.12190.
Caravella S., Cerulli G., Crespi F., Pierucci E. (2025), Eco-innovation, firms’ employment growth, and the mediating role of export activities, Eurasian Business Review
Centro Economia Digitale, CRESCERE INSIEME: Analisi e proposte per un percorso di crescita economica forte, duratura, sostenibile e diffusa. (2022)
Costantini, V., Crespi, F., Marin, G., Paglialunga, E. (2017). Eco-innovation, sustainable supply chains and environmental performance in European industries. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 155, pp. 141-154.
V Costantini, F Crespi, E Paglialunga (2018), The employment impact of private and public actions for energy efficiency: Evidence from European industries, Energy Policy 119, 250-267.
Archibugi D. and Filippetti A., (2015). Knowledge as Global Public Good. In: The Handbook of Global Science, Technology, and Innovation, First Edition. Daniele Archibugi and Andrea Filippetti (eds). DOI: 10.1111/b.9781118739068.2015.00025.x.
Archibugi D. and Filippetti A., (2017). The retreat of public research and its adverse consequences on innovation. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Article in Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.05.022.
Costantini, V., Crespi, F., Martini, C., Pennacchio, L., (2015). Demand-pull and technology-push public support for eco-innovation: The case of the biofuels sector, Research Policy, Vol. 44, pp. 577-595.
Costantini V., Crespi F., Palma, A., (2017), Characterizing the policy mix and its impact on eco-innovation: a patent analysis of energy-efficient technologies, Research Policy, Vol. 46, pp. 799-819.
Caravella, S., Crespi, F., Cucignatto, G., Guarascio, D. (2024). Technological sovereignty and strategic dependencies: The case of the photovoltaic supply chain. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION, 434, 140222.
Centro Economia Digitale, COOPETIZIONE: Aziende e Stati di fronte alla sfida di un mondo che cambia (2024)
Cerulli, G., Poti, B., 2012. Designing ex-post assessment of corporate RDI policies: conceptualization, indicators and modeling. World Rev. Sci. Technol. Sustain. Dev. 9, 2–4.
Caravella S., Crespi F. (2021) The role of public procurement as innovation lever: evidence from Italian manufacturing firms, Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 30:7, 663-68.
Amatori, F., Bugamelli, M., Colli, A. (2011). Italian firms in history: size, technology and entrepreneurship. Bank of Italy Economic History Working Papers, 13, pp. 1–53.
Sabrina Pastorelli, Lo stato imprenditore e la qualificazione tecnologica dello sviluppo economico italiano: l'esperienza dell'iri nei primi decenni del secondo dopoguerra, Banca d’Italia, Quaderni dell’ufficio ricerche storiche, 12 , Dicembre 2006.
Goldstein A., (2003). Privatization in Italy 1993 - 2002: Goals, Institutions, Outcomes, and Outstanding Issues. CESifo Working Paper Series No. 912. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=396324
Munari F., Roberts E. B., Sobrero M., (2002). Privatization processes and the redefinition of corporate R&D boundaries. Research policy, Vol. 31, pp. 31-53.
Programme
General Part- Introduction to the Economics of Innovation
- Innovation and Performance: Growth, Employment, Productivity, Export, Environment
- Diffusion and impact of digital technologies
- The theoretical foundations of Science, Innovation and Technology Policies
- Public policies for eco-innovation
The Italian case
- The characteristics of the Italian innovation system
- The role of public enterprises in the technological and industrial development of Italy
- Industrial Policy in Italy
Core Documentation
Franco Malerba Economia dell’Innovazione, Carocci editore (Ch. 1, 5, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18; non-attending students add chapters 8 and 10)M. Mazzucato, Lo Stato Innovatore, Laterza, 2014 (only for non-attending students)
Reading list (for all students)
Calvino F. and Virgillito M. E., (2017). The innovation-employment nexus: a critical survey of theory and empirics. Journal of Economic Surveys, DOI: 10.1111/joes.12190.
Caravella S., Cerulli G., Crespi F., Pierucci E. (2025), Eco-innovation, firms’ employment growth, and the mediating role of export activities, Eurasian Business Review
Centro Economia Digitale, CRESCERE INSIEME: Analisi e proposte per un percorso di crescita economica forte, duratura, sostenibile e diffusa. (2022)
Costantini, V., Crespi, F., Marin, G., Paglialunga, E. (2017). Eco-innovation, sustainable supply chains and environmental performance in European industries. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 155, pp. 141-154.
V Costantini, F Crespi, E Paglialunga (2018), The employment impact of private and public actions for energy efficiency: Evidence from European industries, Energy Policy 119, 250-267.
Archibugi D. and Filippetti A., (2015). Knowledge as Global Public Good. In: The Handbook of Global Science, Technology, and Innovation, First Edition. Daniele Archibugi and Andrea Filippetti (eds). DOI: 10.1111/b.9781118739068.2015.00025.x.
Archibugi D. and Filippetti A., (2017). The retreat of public research and its adverse consequences on innovation. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Article in Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.05.022.
Costantini, V., Crespi, F., Martini, C., Pennacchio, L., (2015). Demand-pull and technology-push public support for eco-innovation: The case of the biofuels sector, Research Policy, Vol. 44, pp. 577-595.
Costantini V., Crespi F., Palma, A., (2017), Characterizing the policy mix and its impact on eco-innovation: a patent analysis of energy-efficient technologies, Research Policy, Vol. 46, pp. 799-819.
Caravella, S., Crespi, F., Cucignatto, G., Guarascio, D. (2024). Technological sovereignty and strategic dependencies: The case of the photovoltaic supply chain. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION, 434, 140222.
Centro Economia Digitale, COOPETIZIONE: Aziende e Stati di fronte alla sfida di un mondo che cambia (2024)
Cerulli, G., Poti, B., 2012. Designing ex-post assessment of corporate RDI policies: conceptualization, indicators and modeling. World Rev. Sci. Technol. Sustain. Dev. 9, 2–4.
Caravella S., Crespi F. (2021) The role of public procurement as innovation lever: evidence from Italian manufacturing firms, Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 30:7, 663-68.
Amatori, F., Bugamelli, M., Colli, A. (2011). Italian firms in history: size, technology and entrepreneurship. Bank of Italy Economic History Working Papers, 13, pp. 1–53.
Sabrina Pastorelli, Lo stato imprenditore e la qualificazione tecnologica dello sviluppo economico italiano: l'esperienza dell'iri nei primi decenni del secondo dopoguerra, Banca d’Italia, Quaderni dell’ufficio ricerche storiche, 12 , Dicembre 2006.
Goldstein A., (2003). Privatization in Italy 1993 - 2002: Goals, Institutions, Outcomes, and Outstanding Issues. CESifo Working Paper Series No. 912. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=396324
Munari F., Roberts E. B., Sobrero M., (2002). Privatization processes and the redefinition of corporate R&D boundaries. Research policy, Vol. 31, pp. 31-53.
Type of delivery of the course
Front lectures. Lectures are not recorded.Type of evaluation
The course assessment will be based on a small dissertation that students will present during the second part of the course, and on a final written exam. The written exam is based on three open questions on the topics of the course.