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Research
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Minimum Hellinger estimation of Stochastic Frontier models. (Work in progress)
Belotti F., Rosi A., Parmeter C.F.
Abstract: This research introduces a minimum Hellinger divergence estimator for stochastic frontier models. The study establishes the strong consistency and asymptotic normality of this estimator under certain regularity conditions. Furthermore, it explores the robust characteristics of this approach. Through simulation, it showcases the robustness and efficiency of the estimator compared to alternatives like the minimum density power divergence method. Lastly, a real-data analysis is conducted to demonstrate the practical application of the estimator.
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Fostering Youth Farm Entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence of Two Governmental Youth Vocational Programs in Cameroon and Madagascar. (submitting)
Zucchini E., Mabiso A., Steiner S., Rosi A., Sadania C. , Toguem R.and Mastroeni A.
Abstract: The growing youth population in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) poses a critical challenge in integrating this cohort into the labour market. Vocational employment training has been the most promoted public policy to foster youth employment and entrepreneurship. However, evidence on the effectiveness of such programs in SSA is relatively scarce. This study measures the impact of two large governmental programs in Cameroon and Madagascar. The findings suggest that youth employment programs can promote youth entrepreneurship, but their effectiveness depends on key design factors, such as the provision of regular support to youth businesses.
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Attributing Medical Spending to Chronic Disease: the case of Diabete. (Work in progress)
Abstract: Understanding the economic burden of chronic diseases is crucial for resource allocation and cost-effectiveness evaluations. However, attributing medical expenditures to specific conditions is complicated by the presence of comorbidities. This study leverages patient-level data from the Health Search Dataset (HSD), a longitudinal observational database collected by the Italian College of General Practitioners (SIMG), to estimate the healthcare costs attributable to diabetes. We implement a propensity score matching techniques to estimate the cost of diabetes and compare with multiple methodologies from the literature, including claims-based approaches and regression-based models. To validate these approaches, we exploit observational data on drug prescriptions as a quasi-objective benchmark. Our findings highlight substantial variations in cost allocation depending on the method used, with the propensity score approach offering improved accuracy in comparison to claims-based and regression models.
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Published Reports (Coauthor)
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Youth Agropastoral Entrepreneurship Promotion Programme. Cameroon
(Programme de promotion de l’entreprenariat agropastoral des jeunes)
(IFAD)
Impact Evaluation Report (English): September 2025
Project page: https://www.ifad.org/en/w/projects/1100001694
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LE ESPORTAZIONI DELLA PUGLIA: STRUTTURA E POTENZIALITÀ. Rapporto ICE 2021-2022
(Italian Trade agency)
("Quaderno Le esportazioni della Puglia_struttura e potenzialita")
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I NUOVI ACCORDI PREFERENZIALI E LA RICONFIGURAZIONE DEL COMMERCIO MONDIALE: OPPORTUNITA' E RISCHI PER L’ITALIA
(Fondazione Manlio Masi - Ministry of foreing affairs)
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POTENZIALE E PROSPETTIVE DEL MADE IN ITALY NELL’EUROPA CENTRO-ORIENTALE
(Confindustria - Fondazione Manlio Masi)
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Bello e ben fatto: il potenziale del made in Italy nel panorama internazionale. RAPPORTO 2023
(Centro Studi Confindustria)
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INGENIUM - Il potenziale dei beni strumentali italiani nel panorama internazionale. RAPPORTO 2023
(Centro Studi Confindustria)
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LE ESPORTAZIONI DELL’UMBRIA: STRUTTURA E POTENZIALITÀ
(Fondazione Manlio Masi)
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Contributions
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The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023: Provided inputs for the Chapter 4 of the report
FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. 2023. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023.
Urbanization, agrifood systems transformation and healthy diets across the rural–urban continuum. Rome, FAO.
Urbanization, agrifood systems transformation and healthy diets across the rural–urban continuum. Rome, FAO.
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The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024 : Provided inputs for the Chapter 3 of the report
FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. 2024. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024 – Financing to end
hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms. Rome
hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms. Rome