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Dynamic Welfare Analysis of Income Distributions: the Trade-off Between Equity and Long-Run Efficiency
No full textI exploit the theory of stochastic orders to formalize preferences over sequences of income distributions that embody suitable principles of equity and efficiency. Intragenerational and intergenerational equity are combined into a new concept of equity that extends the Hammond’s equity principle (for infinite utility streams) to the realm of stochastic processes. The main result of the paper can be interpreted as follows: short-sighted, piecemeal economic policies that enhance equity may come at the expense of the income of generations in the far-off future. The proof of the instrumental lemma could be of interest in its own right because it uncovers the interplay between moment-generating functions and stochastic orders
The Photos Worth 18,000 Words: How Donald Trump and Joe Biden Use Images on Instagram to Showcase and Legitimize Their Policies During Their First 100 Days in Office
No full textMaster of Arts in International Affairs -- John Cabot University, Fall 2025.As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so does the strategy to utilize it for one’s own benefit. Social media, such as Instagram, are used by public officials across the globe to connect with others. The common use of these platforms is to promote their policy actions and their agendas to demonstrate the work that they are doing. In doing so, they construct an image of themselves for the public and curate the content in a specific manner to achieve their political goals. This research seeks to answer the question, “How do the Instagram posts from the first 100 days of the Biden (2021) and Trump (2025) administrations construct a presidential image, highlight policy priorities, and selectively represent political realities, as interpreted through visual culture studies and critical media theory?” To answer this question, this research will establish a theoretical farmwork that outlines the previous scholarship on this subject along with a detailed understanding of the concepts of ‘visibility’ and ‘visuality’. This framework will then guide the analysis of the two cases studies that focus the social media content posted to the governmental and personal Instagram accounts of Biden and Trump. The results of the case studies suggest that the main strategy both presidents use to push their policy agenda is through a display of relatability. Where Biden uses tactics to make himself appear relatable to the average person through attire and vocabulary, while Trump uses playful imagery and jokes to minimize the seriousness of his policies
Brunello Cucinelli’s Humanistic Capitalism: Notes on the Relationship Between Business and Humanities
No full textWhat is and what can the relationship between business and humanities be? Can humanistic knowledge connect with and contribute to managerial development today? This paper will attempt to understand whether this might be the case and how
Novel Operator-Centric Digital Technologies for a Sustainable Industrial Workplace
No full textIndustry 4.0 technologies are revolutionising industrial workplaces by advancing system and worker health management, enhancing Human-Machine Interaction, and enabling flexible manufacturing solutions. These innovations, underpinned by digital technologies, have their roots in predictive maintenance, reconfigurable and collaborative robotic systems, and AI-driven Human-Machine Interfaces, which are key enablers in creating sustainable, efficient, and adaptable production environments. Predictive maintenance empowers production systems to become self-aware, self-predictive, self-configuring, and self-maintaining (Zonta et al., 2020). By equipping machinery with sensors that continuously monitor their condition, it is possible to detect early signs of faults, identify the specific type of fault, and predict the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of equipment (Jardine, Lin & Banjevic, 2006). This proactive approach minimises downtime, optimises machinery longevity, and enhances overall efficiency. The collection of data from re- configurable manipulation systems is crucial in this context, as it allows for the training, validation, and testing of data-driven approaches for diagnostics and prognostics in highly dynamic environments. Integrating robotic manipulators with automatic production lines is crucial for achieving this flexibility, and deployability and reconfigurability are key enabling factors. Cable-driven Parallel Robots (CDPRs) offer a promising solution for reconfigurable and they have been proposed for various applications, including assisted or automated assembly (Pott, Meyer & Verl, 2010), high-rack warehouse storage and retrieval (Bruckmann et al., 2012), and palletising tasks (Marchesini, 2023). Optimising the performance of CDPRs involves selecting the appropriate sensors for calibration, estimation, or control, as small sensor errors can be amplified by the robot’s transmission chain and control algorithms, leading to performance issues (Idà, Merlet & Carricato, 2019), (Gabaldo, Idà & Carricato, 2023). Digital prototyping tools dedicated to optimising the robot’s mechatronic architecture—its geometry, inertia components, sensors, overall size, and installed power—are essential for enhancing the industrial involvement of CDPRs. These tools contribute to improved sustainability in reconfigurable automation, achieving levels of efficiency not possible with current solutions. As automation becomes more prevalent, Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) become of interest, as understanding the factors that influence collaborative task quality and operator well-being is essential (Ayaz et al., 2012; Krugh & Mears, 2018). Automation changes human roles in complex ways, requiring a deeper understanding of human behaviour and environmental factors. Mental Workload (MWL), defined as the mental effort required to perform tasks, has been identified as a critical factor affecting productivity and task performance (Pacaux-Lemoine et al., 2022). The research underscores the importance of designing intelligent manufacturing systems that not only support human operators but also effectively manage MWL, thereby optimising working conditions. Addressing issues such as automation complacency and Out- Of-The-Loop (OOTL) performance is essential for improving working conditions through AI-enhanced human-machine collaboration. Particularly, when dealing with collaborative robots, techniques such as kinesthetic teaching, where a human guides the robot to perform tasks, have been effective in addressing kinematic discrepancies (Billard et al., 2008). However, there is a growing need for more advanced human-robot interfaces that enable bidirectional information exchange during manual guidance. Technologies like motion capture systems, which track human kinematics, and haptic devices, which measure grip strength, are essential for enhancing this interaction (Häring, Bee & André, 2012; Walker, Zink & Mutschler, 2010). Additionally, surface electromyography (sEMG) has emerged as a valuable tool, providing real-time data that, when combined with machine learning and probabilistic modelling, enhances programming by demonstration for collaborative robots (Meattini et al., 2018). The integration of these technologies facilitates more intuitive and effective human-robot collaboration, ultimately boosting productivity and work performance. The paper describes some aspects of novel digital technologies developed in one of the PNRR PE 11 Made in Italy Circolare e Sostenibile (MICS) projects, to be integrated for the development of self-sustaining production systems, enhancing human-machine collaboration, and enabling the deployment of flexible, reconfigurable robotic solutions. These advancements are crucial for meeting the evolving demands of modern manufacturing, ensuring sustainability, and optimising overall system efficiency and performance. Section 1 deals with the Predictive maintenance aspect of the project, while Section 2 with reconfigurable robotic systems. Section 3 introduces the studied HMI Technologies, and Section 4 focuses on collaborative robots programming. In the end, the project’s expected outcomes are highlighted
Too Narrow to Help? Unveiling How Recommendation Agents’ Specialization Impacts User Choices
No full textOn many online platforms, professional human recommenders have largely been replaced by Recommendation Agents (RAs): algorithms that can—at lower cost and higher speed—incorporate users’ explicit and tacit preferences into customized search results that help with the purchase decision process. RAs are often built around understanding users’ past preferences in order to make accurate recommendations that generally reinforce said preferences. This approach offers several advantages, but also limits consumers’ ability to consider options outside of their past interests—the so-called specialization issue. The present research hypothesizes that a specialized RA (vs. a generalized preference-weighted RA) reduce users’ willingness to accept the recommendation. This effect is sequentially mediated by users’ perceived breadth of knowledge, perceived control over the choice process and perceived reciprocity with the RA. To test these hypotheses, the authors programmed a functioning RA and implemented it in three experimental studies involving 705 online participants. Results confirm the hypotheses suggesting that users do sometimes want RAs to help them expand on, rather than merely reaffirm, their existing preferences, particularly when their product expertise is relatively low. Theoretical and managerial implications as well as avenues for future research are finally discussed
Blockchain Technology and Supply Chain Transformation in the Pharmaceutical Sector: A Case Study of Pfizer and Comparative Industry Analysis
No full textThis study investigates how blockchain technology enhances coordination within the global pharmaceutical supply chain, using Pfizer as a primary case study and comparing it with Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Merck & Co., and La Roche Ltd. The research addresses the critical issue of counterfeit pharmaceuticals, which affects over 50% of drug distribution in developing countries, and explores how the integration of blockchain technology in international pharmaceutical supply chains can mitigate such risks. The purpose is to assess blockchain’s potential to improve traceability, operational efficiency, transparency, and regulatory compliance across complex global networks. Our findings based on primarily secondary data sources indicate that blockchain adoption— especially by Pfizer through initiatives like the MediLedger Project—has significantly strengthened pharmaceutical supply chain integrity. The study also identifies barriers to adoption, including scalability issues and regulatory misalignment, particularly in less developed markets. The practical
implications suggest that while blockchain is not yet widely implemented across all pharmaceutical giants, it is emerging as a strategic differentiator for companies seeking to enhance supply chain security, comply with global regulations, and protect consumer trust
The Impact of E-Commerce on Luxury Brands: A Case Study on Brunello Cucinelli
No full textThis paper explores the digitalization process within the luxury fashion industry. Specifically, we analyze how luxury brands are implementing digital strategies, such as ecommerce platforms, and the impact on the operations, image and reputation of the company. Using a qualitative approach based on primary and secondary data on Brunello Cucinelli, a major Italian luxury fashion label, we note that Cucinelli has been a pioneer in implementing a rigorous digitalization strategy for several years. Their strategy can be considered a one of a kind within the industry as it aims to find a balance between technology and human knowledge: the dualism between innovation and tradition has proven to be a decisive advantage for the company. The constant emphasis on maintaining its core values and combining them with a look to the future is what truly contradistinguishes the company within its industry. Overall, our study shows that the digitalization process in the luxury industry has become a necessity for every company in the sector. However, luxury companies should find a balance between innovation and their values to keep exclusivity at the core of their businesses
The Historical Architecture of U.S. Hegemony: Trump’s Second Term and the Evolution of Coercive Power
No full textThesis (B.A. in Political Science, Minor in Legal Studies)--John Cabot University, Spring 2025.This thesis investigates the nature of U.S hegemony in the post- Cold War international system by asking, to what extent does Donald Trump’s 2025 agenda represent a rupture from, or a continuation of longstanding American interventionist strategies? While political commentaries often portray Trump’s foreign policy as radical and disruptive, this study argues that his current agenda and actions are best understood as an intensified continuation of historical patterns. To explore this question, this thesis adopts a qualitative and interpretative methodology, drawing on the analysis of primary policy documents, public statements, news reports (up to May 1st 2025), and secondary scholarly sources in international relations theory. It combines historical tracing of post-cold war hegemonic strategies, beginning with the administration of George H.W Bush, with close analysis of Trump’s current economic, diplomatic and military interventions. By situating the current administration within broader architecture, the thesis places it within the structural and strategic logic of US global dominance. The central conclusion is that Trump’s policy does not signify the collapse of American hegemony, or a retreat into isolationism. Instead, it reflects the intensification towards more explicit, unilateral framework of coercion. However, it also acknowledges the systematic dangers that this form of interventionism may bring, and the risk of erosion of the foundations of American primacy
A Shark among the Critics: Damien Hirst’s Economies of Reception
No full textThesis (B.A. in Art History)--John Cabot University, Spring 2025.How can the evolving contexts in which Damien Hirst's Beautiful Inside My Head Forever (2008) and Complete Spot Painting, 1986-2011 (2012) exhibitions are received be seen as dynamically interconnected with the shifts and developments in the art market? In other words, how can we quantify and evaluate the interaction of “esthetics” and economics in the variations of this artist’s reception and their market value? This thesis aims to analyze how Damien Hirst’s two best-known exhibitions, Beautiful Inside My Head Forever (2008) and Complete Spot Painting, 1986-2011 (2012), impact art markets in different cultural, economic and critical contexts. Focusing on works such as The Physical Impossibility of Death In The Mind Of Someone Living, The Golden Calf, Valium and Cupric Nitrate, a comparative approach to the impact and reception of these exhibitions in New York, London, and Paris reveals crucial variations in the artist’s purported value, economic and artistic. In these different contexts, controversy about his commercial success rely on the artist’s visual and material choices, and the way these create “sensational” works. However, this occludes the ways in which Hirst’s artistic and curatorial strategies are also, and profoundly so, impacted by his work’s market value. While certain art critics do identify him as being primarily a commercial artist, art-historical scholarship is conflicted about the role commercial success plays in his artistic strategies. This historiographical divide is, at least in part, due to the intellectual and economic contexts in which art historians seem to be writing, and to whom their scholarship is addressed. Anglophone scholarship, on the whole, depicts Hirst as a genius of entrepreneurship; francophone art historians tend to focus on his post-modern conceptualism, repeatedly qualifying Hirst as a “taxidermist.” iii This thesis, therefore, begins with a close examination of the critical reception of Beautiful Inside My Head Forever and Complete Spot Painting, 1986-2011 exhibitions in order to evince the radically different debates that surround Hirst’s work especially since 2008, in New York, London and Paris. The role of exhibition venues — an auction house, a point of purchase gallery and a museum — is examined as a factor in the way in which Hirst’s recent work is presented and received. However, this thesis aims to demonstrate above all the dynamic interaction of local markets with those institutions and, especially, with the artist’s own highly informed choices in those contexts. Exhibition reviews from both specialized and popular sources, art-historical essays and monographs, artist interviews, and sale results, provide the main primary and secondary sources through which this thesis analyzes a case study of the interaction between market forces, critical reception and artistic agency
Visual Heritage and Motion Design: The Graphic-Cultural Legacy of Saul Bass’s Title Sequences
No full textOpening titles are more than introductory devices supporting the film they have been produced for; they are artistic and cultural artefacts with a powerful visual identity. Among the most emblematic figures in this design field, the graphic and motion designer Saul Bass (1920–1996) pioneered an approach that redefined the identity, the design, and the experience of cinematic title sequences, opening a path of experimentation aimed at bridging visual communication, moving images, stylistic innovation, and aesthetic synaesthesia, through a combination of sound, movement, and image into a single expressive unit. This article investigates Bass’s contribution through a historical-critical and comparative lens, reconstructing the network of artistic and technological influences that shaped his design philosophy. It analyzes a selection of Bass’s title sequences, highlights his connection to European modernism, and identifies the seeds of postmodern culture in several aspects of Bass’s work such as the merging of principles coming from design and animation studies, the ambition for technological experimentation, and the openness towards a mass audience. By framing Bass’s creative legacy as a form of visual heritage, the article examines the ways in which his kinetic typography and moving compositions can be, therefore, recognized as resources for art historians, media scholars, designers, and visual communication theorists to track down the first and impactful aesthetic and narrative experiments conducted in the postmodern and contemporary motion graphic design field