Ricerc@Sapienza

In the past four to five decades, we have observed a rise in inequality alongside a new wave of globalization. This inequality has taken various forms, including shifts in wealth from capital to labour, widening wage gaps among workers, and overall increasing income disparities among individuals. Globalization, encompassing trade in goods, technologies, capital, and labour, has been central to these developments. This project focuses primarily on exploring the links between income inequality and a specific aspect of global trade, namely the participation in global value chains (GVCs). It seeks to understand how different sectors' involvement in GVCs affects income inequality within countries. Additionally, the project addresses two detailed research questions: whether the overall impact on income inequality depends on the mix of sectors participating in GVCs, and whether different types of GVC involvement (such as backward or forward linkages) have varying effects on inequality. Additionally, we are interested in understanding if the influence of GVCs on inequality is likely mediated by the relationship between GVC participation and technology. The study is situated within the European context, characterized by both extensive trade integration and a notable rise in inequality. From a policy perspective, this research offers insights into identifying critical points within GVCs that could foster greater inclusivity. It also aims to inform policy actions designed to support individuals and sectors adversely affected by participation in GVCs.

Il gruppo di ricerca è stato proponente dell'omonimo progetto, "Income Inequality and the International Fragmentation of Production: Which Nexus in Europe?", finanziato nell’ambito del Bando per la ricerca di Ateneo Sapienza 2024 (D.R. n. 1179/2024 del 22.05.2024 e successivo D.R. n. 1589/2024 del 01.07.2024). Trattasi di bando competitivo che prevede la revisione tra pari: i progetti sono infatti stati valutati da una specifica commissione secondo i criteri in uso nella comunità scientifica internazionale, individuando referee esterni. Gli esiti del processo sono stati comunicati con delibera del Senato accademico n. 88/2025 del 08.04.2025.