Projects

Some of the research projects promoted by the Department are born and developed within the framework of fruitful collaborations with national and international research bodies and institutes, as well as in a virtuous relationship of dialogue with the local area.

• No. 1 Grant funded by the EMILIA ROMAGNA REGION (PR.FSE + 2021/2027 - DGR n. 2111 of 04/12/2023) - CUP D92J24000010002 - Forecasting urban mobility flows and optimal management of local transport.
  City mobility is constantly at the center of urban policy choices in every city reality. Modes of travel have changed in recent years, outlining a complex scenario that requires a highly specialized study to understand all its dynamics in order to propose new approaches to sustainable mobility.
  The project must contain a proposal that deals with real-time monitoring of the flow of users using “road-based” means of transportation. Proposals involving use of modern automatic image identification classification techniques are elements of preference. Additional favorable elements are projects that include solutions with:
  - Proposals based on modern statistical methods.
  - Multidisciplinary proposals.
  A strong partnership with the City of Parma and its investees is expected.
  Scientific responsible: Prof. Fabrizio Laurini, University of Parma

• No. 2 EU-funded grants - NextGenerationEU from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRP) Mission 4, Component 1, Investment 4.1 (M.D. 629/2024 Art. 9 “Public Administration”)
  1. ESG sustainability and impact assessments in public administration and public investee companies.
  The research project aims to investigate, with reference to Public Administration (PA) and public investee companies, economic and social impact assessment systems, as well as non-financial performance and sustainability reporting models. The objective is to identify Italian and international best practices to define a path for sustainability reporting and impact assessment in actions by the PA and its investee companies.
  Economic and social impact assessments enable public companies, and specifically also public investee companies, to monitor and assess the effects of their activities on people and communities, health and the environment, and to identify any negative side effects. This allows them to improve performance and account more accurately for the impacts of their activities on society and the environment. This is where the non-financial performance reporting models of institutions come in, with particular reference to ESG principles. The latter have become an increasingly important benchmark for public administrations and investee companies that want to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Non-financial reporting allows companies in general to transparently and reliably communicate objectives and performance in this area, providing complete and reliable information to stakeholders.
  The doctoral student will also have the opportunity to study, specifically, the management and organizational models of investee companies of public entities, through empirical analysis and the development of case studies, working through close collaboration with public investee companies present in the local and national territory and the presentation of the results of the studies conducted at national and international scientific conferences. The doctoral student will have to spend a period of study and research abroad in order to acquire new skills and learn about different realities.  
  Scientific supervisors: Professors Pier Luigi Marchini and Veronica Tibiletti, University of Parma.

  2. The role of management in promoting innovation and change in public health companies
  Good performance in public administration (PA) in terms of quality depends closely on those who manage services. This is also true for public hospitals and it is, therefore, necessary to work to develop and reward good practices of health care management oriented toward promoting innovation and change. The research project aspires to develop criteria and systems to define management competencies as well as tools that can effectively contribute to the improvement of public administrations.
  The doctoral student will have the opportunity to study the management and organizational models of public hospitals. The research activity will enable the doctoral student to increase knowledge of the Italian public health system through empirical analysis and the development of case studies. Close collaboration with various public health companies in the country and presentation of the results of the studies conducted at national and international scientific conferences is expected. The doctoral student will have to spend a period of study and research abroad and a period in the company.
  Scientific Responsible: Professors Antonello Zangrandi and Simone Fanelli, University of Parma.

• No. 1 Grant Funded Funded by REGIONE EMILIA ROMAGNA CUP F71J23000130009 - TALENTO: what are the most in-demand skills on the labor market? New analytical approach, data mining and policy implications.
  What skills do employers look for in new employees? This is a central question for understanding and identifying policy implications not only for industrial development but also for the educational system.
  Employers are increasingly reaching job seekers through online job ads, particularly for jobs that require a higher education qualification (OECD, 2020). Job ads available online provide a rich source of detailed, real-time data on the qualifications and skills sought by employers in all sectors, occupations, and locations.
  For these reasons, the UNESCO Chair “Education, Growth and Equality” proposes the development of TALENTO, an original big-dataset of online job ads in Italy that enables new analytical approaches and data mining methods in order to understand what skills and competencies are most in demand in today's labor market.

  The research aims to explore both the content of new job profiles in demand and the geographic distribution of this demand across regions, territories and municipalities.
  It is believed that data on job advertisements hold promise to complement existing labor market information systems and help educators and policymakers align labor demand and educational supply. If analyzed and disseminated effectively, such data could also help students and workers make learning and career decisions, for example by identifying opportunities to build their own nontraditional path to high-demand occupations.
  At the same time, following a macroeconomic perspective, the research findings could have a strong impact in understanding structural changes and economic dynamics, focusing on skills and competencies for sustainable development.
  Scientific responsible: Professors Sandrine Labory and Patrizio Bianchi, University of Ferrara