October 24, 2024
Three Essays in Applied Microeconomics
Irene Di Marzio

Abstract to be added here

Supervisor: Federico Belotti
Examiners: Federico Belotti, Augusto Cerqua (La Sapienza U. di Roma), Edoardo Di Porto (U. Napoli "Federico II")

September 12, 2024
Essay on Regression Discontinuity Designs
Elena Dal Torrione

In settings with interconnected individuals, social and physical interactions can lead to interference and statistical dependence in the data. This thesis addresses these challenges in Regression Discontinuity Designs (RDDs), where assignment to a treatment depends on the value of an observed variable relative to an eligibility threshold. The first chapter introduces a novel analytical framework to incorporate interference in RDDs for networked populations. The second chapter studies the standard RDD local polynomial estimator under network dependence, establishing conditions for consistency and asymptotic normality. The third chapter develops new estimators within the interference framework, and applies the proposed methodology to the PROGRESA/Oportunidades dataset to estimate the direct and indirect effects of cash transfer eligibility on children’s school attendance.

Supervisor: Tiziano Arduini
Examiners: Tiziano Arduini, Fabrizia Mealli (U. Firenze), Enrico Rettore (U. Padova)

September 2, 2024
Three Essays in Causal Inference and Machine Learning
Riccardo Di Francesco

This thesis reflects the adaptability expected of modern economists, exploring a range of subjects from theoretical advancements to applied contributions in causal inference and machine learning. The first two chapters employ tree-based methodologies to develop novel estimators: one focused on uncovering heterogeneous causal effects while maintaining interpretability, and another focused on predictive modeling for ordered non-numeric outcomes. The third chapter measures the extent of anti-LGB sentiments and reactions to coming out, using innovative data sources from an online video game to achieve credible identification.

Supervisor: Franco Peracchi (EIEF)
Co-supervisor: Tommaso Proietti
Examiners: Michael Lechner (U. St. Gallen), Giovanni Mellace (U. Southern Denmark), Franco Peracchi (EIEF)

July 22, 2024
Four Essays in Applied Economics
Sara Mancini

The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the economic literature by providing novel evidence on topics in applied microeconomics by combining social and environmental sustainability with the study of regulatory interventions, global development adaptation policies, and corporate values. These are four essays on people, well-being, climate shocks, and policy interventions promoting improvement actions using impact evaluation techniques. The first chapter investigates the critical role of economic policy instruments as forces pushing companies toward ecological transition. The second one evaluates the impact of climate shocks on household well-being in the Solomon Islands. The third one argues that corporate social responsibility and relational skills are linked to positive effects on productivity. The fourth chapter studies whether sustainability reporting raises corporate effort toward sustainable development.

Supervisor: Leonardo Becchetti
Examiners: Leonardo Becchetti, Giacomo Degli Antoni, Piergiuseppe Morone

April 18, 2024
Essays in Macroeconomics and Finance
Filippo Maurici

This thesis is composed of three essays, each studying topics which are mostly unrelated. Nevertheless, the common thread of these works can be summarized by the role of expectations. We start by considering a theoretical model in which agents take decisions according to the what they consider the worst-case scenario, then we move to analyze the ex post effects of mergers involving banks and fintechs, and, finally, we study how announcements affect economic growth in times of crisis.

Supervisor: Lorenzo Carbonari
Examiners: Barbara Annicchiarico, Michele Battisti, Tommaso Oliviero