Hi!
I am a PhD Candidate in Economics at University College London and a PhD Scholar at the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
I am an applied microeconomist. My research lies at the intersection of environmental economics and organized crime. I am particularly interested in studying the effects of different incentives on firms' environmental behaviours.
You can find the latest version of my CV here.
Working Papers
Mafia Infiltrations in Times of Crisis: Evidence from the Covid-19 Shock, with L. Rizzica (Bank of Italy), [R&R at Journal of Law and Economics]
IFS Working Paper 23/28
Abstract: We analyse the risk of mafia capture of firms operating in the legal economy. Specifically, we study the relationship between firm performance and mafia infiltration. To overcome possible endogeneity concerns we exploit the abrupt drop in revenues caused by the (unexpected) Covid-19 related closures imposed in Spring 2020 in Italy. Our estimates reveal that the induced sudden and significant worsening of affected firms financial conditions increased the likelihood of them being infiltrated by mafia-connected entrepreneurs. According to our preferred specification, a 10% drop in revenues leads to a 4.8% increase in the probability of a firm being infiltrated by the mafia compared to the baseline. These effects, however, were partly offset by the extraordinary measures put in place by the government to support financially distressed firms. Heterogeneity in the effectiveness of the different measures provides indirect evidence that firms are more likely to resort to mafia lending when they face temporary difficulties in repaying their debts.
Work in Progress
Can Responsible Investment Induce Sustainable Corporate Behavior? Evidence from the World's Largest Equity Investor, with F. Carpena (OsloMet) and J. Hjort (UCL)
Educating Businesses for the Green Transition