1,721,190 research outputs found
Federated On-Device Learning of Integer-Based Convolutional Neural Networks
No full textOn-device learning is one of the most relevant and challenging tasks in the field of tiny machine learning. Indeed, most state-of-the-art solutions focus on on-device inference, with only a few works dealing with the incremental fine-tuning of pre-trained machine and deep learning models. An interesting approach to enable multiple devices to collaboratively train a shared model is represented by Federated Learning (FL). Nevertheless, state-of-the-art floating-point FL solutions are tailored for edge devices (e.g., smartphones and tablets), and are therefore not suitable for running on devices with limited resources in terms of memory, computation, and energy. To date, only one work in the literature has proposed a tiny integer-based federated learning algorithm for training Multi-Layer Perceptrons (MLPs). In contrast to the existing literature, we introduce, for the first time, an integer-based FL algorithm capable of training integer Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) specifically designed to operate on resource-constrained devices. More in detail, the proposed algorithm is based on integer local error signals, enabling each device to train either the whole CNN or only a portion of it on its own data according to its resource availability. Experimental results on multi-class image classification benchmarks demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution, showing an accuracy improvement compared to the state-of-the-art FL algorithm for integer MLP architectures, and the capability of training integer CNN architectures with minimal accuracy degradation compared to traditional floating-point FL solutions. The proposed algorithm is made available to the scientific community as a public repository
On the Role of Externalities in the Choice of Technology
No full textThis paper examines technology adoption problems in a simple general equilibrium framework, characterized by the presence of a firm and a number of self-employed consumer. It is shown that the choice of technologies may be hindered, or even blocked when the firm is price maker on the labor market and price taker on the goods market. Two sources of externality are likely to determine inefficient technology choices and thus inefficiencies of market allocations. First, the firm's technology choice generates a positive externality on the production function of self employed workers. Second, this positive externality induces an increase in labor costs, hence implying a negative pecuniary externality on the firm.
Pareto efficient allocations that would be generated by a social planner internalizing all sources of externalities are discussed, and different mechanisms of policy intervention in order to overcome (or mitigate) market failure are studied, ranging from non linear (first best) subsidization to Pigouvian (second best) subsidies/taxes on labor input and technology adoption
Technology Adoption with Production Externalities
No full textThe main goal of this thesis is to investigate the reasons why firms do often adopt inefficient technologies even when superior ones are widely available, and to assess their consequences. From a macroeconomic perspective it has been emphasized that differences in the adoption and diffusion rates of technology have a significant impact on economic growth and development, affecting output and productivity differentials among countries. The importance of these issues explains why the understanding of the determinants of technical change has attracted a great deal of attention by both theorists and applied economists.
A firm's technology choice and its timing rests on the expected costs and benefits of adoption, which in turn are a function of a number of microeconomic and macroeconomic factors. Several such factors have been investigated in the literature, giving rise to patterns of technology adoption more or less successful when brought to the data. One single feature of technology adoption that is widely emphasized is the role of technology-induced spillovers. This dissertation, after surveying the major approaches to technology adoption found in the literature and stressing their drawbacks, studies the effects on firms' choices of technology-induced production externalities that are largely consistent with the empirical evidence and whose relevance has not been previously assessed. The thesis central claim is the existence of a causal link between the effects of firms' choices of a technology and wages. The choice of technology determines an increase in workers' productivity and consequently an improvement of their occupational alternatives, that can transfer on the wages a firm must pay in order to retain its employees.
It is shown, first in an efficiency wage partial equilibrium framework and then in a simple general equilibrium setting, that the presence of production externalities of the sort described above can lead to inefficient technology adoption by firms, so that they may not have an incentive to upgrade to the technological frontier, remaining stuck with old and inefficient technologies. Finally, the possibility of technology misallocation is investigated from a normative point of view, characterizing Pareto-efficient allocations and discussing the role of government interventions, through non-linear (first best) subsidization and second best policy instruments, to overcome or mitigate market failures
Determinazione dei diritti aeronautici e allocazione degli slot nell'industria aeroportuale
No full textAeronautical charges in Italy have been based traditionally on airplanes’ weight
and set to be very small. Similarly, concession revenues have been limited, if not nil, and slots
are mostly allocated among airlines according to the grandfather rule. Moreover, concessionaires
have run commercial activities related to the aeronautical business under monopolistic
conditions without being regulated.
This paper studies the inadequacy of current mechanisms underlying the structure of
aeronautical charges and it discusses the definition of alternative pricing mechanisms based on
economic grounds, such as marginal cost pricing and peak load pricing.
Finally, an auction mechanism governing slot allocation in substitution of grandfather
rights is qualitatively developed and the steps required by its implementation are discussed
Struttura finanziaria delle imprese, rinegoziazione del debito e liquidazione. Una rassegna della letteratura
No full textL'impatto della New Economy sulla crescita della produttivita. Una discussione del ruolo delle ICT
No full textComplementary Assets, Start-Ups and Incentives to Innovate
Full text linkColombo L, Dawid H. Complementary Assets, Start-Ups and Incentives to Innovate. International Journal of Industrial Organization. 2016;44:177-190.We examine to what extent market conditions facilitating
start-up formation affect firms' R&D investment and profits. We consider a model in which R&D efforts of an incumbent firm generate partly tacit technological know-how embodied in a key R&D employee, who might use it to form a start-up. The availability of complementary assets influences whether new firms are created and determine expected profits for start-up's founders.
A large availability of complementary assets has the direct effect that the generation of start-ups is fostered. However, as a strategic effect, the incentives of incumbents to invest in R&D may be reduced because of the increased danger of knowledge loss occurring through start-up formation. We fully characterize the effects of an increase in the availability of complementary assets, showing that counter-intuitively there are cases in which it induces an increase in incumbents' R&D investment
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