Recent geopolitical and economic shocks have led to a profound transformation in global production processes. In response, many companies are restructuring their operations by relocating business activities closer to or within their home countries. This shift is altering the dynamics of Global Value Chains (GVCs), intricate networks that are central to producing a variety of goods. While scholarly attention focuses on large multinational firms, the role of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in GVC reconfiguration remains an unexplored frontier. SOS-GVC aims to introduce a pioneering theoretical and empirical framework to assess the role of MSEs in reshaping GVCs structure, with a focus on the territorial implications of their strategies. The project will provide evidence of the various ways MSEs can influence global production processes. Firstly, MSEs directly involved in GVCs can repatriate offshored activities, generating impacts in the domestic regions where they are located. Secondly, MSEs indirectly participating in GVCs can safeguard local subcontracting networks by implementing risk prevention strategies to reduce the likelihood of disruptive events. The combined effect of these actions can empower the territories where MSEs operate, enhancing their ability to react to shocks. To construct the empirical framework, I will employ distinctive georeferenced firm-level data obtained from the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance Annual Survey covering the 2010-2022 period. This database, untapped by the academic community, provides a unique advantage. The project has significant societal implications. As deglobalization trends persist, the crucial role of MSEs in GVCs is expected to grow, along with the regional impact of their activities. The societal impact lies in fostering a nuanced understanding of the intricate interplay between MSEs, GVC, and regional resilience, informing policymakers and stakeholders in navigating the evolving global economic landscape.

A general principle of brain functioning is the exploitation of neural substrates for self-related processes, such as action planning, decision-making and space coding, to map those of others. Indirect evidence indicates that similar agent-based coding may characterize emotion as well. How does the primate brain represent emotional displays (EDs) of self and others from the single-neuron to the network level? EMACTIVE will leverage state-of-the-art wireless recording technologies developed during my previous ERC StG to crack the code of agent-based representation of EDs. I will first record single-neuron activity from the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) (WP1) and amygdala (WP2) alongside physiological data of freely moving pairs of macaques, aiming to identify self- (ST) and other-type (OT) neurons encoding EDs: I hypothesize that an animal’s ST neurons drive its Eds, which in turn trigger OT neurons of the partner, facilitating behavioural coordination. By means of neural decoding approaches, chemogenetic inactivation and wireless intracortical microstimulation, I will assess the causal role of each region in the control of specific EDs during interactive situations. Next (WP3), neuronal tracers will be injected in the amygdalar and ACC territories hosting ST and OT neurons, providing the connectional fingerprint of agent-based representation of EDs. Finally, in WP4 we will record neuronal activity simultaneously from multiple regions anatomically connected with the ACC and amygdala (capitalizing on findings from WP3) in two additional pairs of freely interacting monkeys (multiareal hyperscanning), thereby revealing the neural and contextual factors affecting interbrain synchrony and its role in behavioural coordination. EMACTIVE will reveal the single-cell and network mechanisms underlying EDs of self and others during social interactions, thought to be altered in several poorly understood neuropsychiatric diseases, such as anxiety disorders and autism.

Although modern consumer can make informed decisions about the types and quantity of food which are best for a healthy lifestyle, an increase in diet-related health problems -caused by unhealthy and over-eating– has been recorded in the European Union in recent years. The objective of this Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) is to understand what drives consumers to make healthier food choices and provide evidence-based recommendations for stakeholders and policy makers to develop and communicate innovative win-win solutions improving eating habits. This MSCA will consist of spending 24 months at Cornell University Food and Brand Lab (Partner Organization), under the supervision of Dr. Wansink who is a well-recognised Professor in the field of consumer behaviour. Behavioural economics studies through interviews, lab and field experiments (hypothetical and non-hypothetical) will be carried out. Workshops and courses on food consumer research methods will provide excellent training. Visits to conferences, stakeholders and other research centers (Michigan and Oklahoma State Universities), already scheduled, will be made. Finally, the return at the University of Parma will be instrumental in building on the expertise acquired to improve teaching abilities and to disseminate findings to several stakeholders by organising a workshop in collaboration with the European Food Safety Authority–EFSA (secondment). Inspired by the finding of his MSCA and striving to maximise the impact of the research outcomes, the candidate is planning to organise public engagement activities, to publish a book intended for the public and papers in highly ranked peer-review journals that will benefit food scientists, agricultural economists and policy makers interested in healthy eating habits. This proposal will be a tremendous opportunity for Dr. Sogari’s career, allowing him to be eligible for a tenure-track position at his home University and become a professional European researcher.

This research explores the behavior of immigrant and refugee Muslim women in Europe within immersive social virtual reality (VR) environments. As a significant demographic among global migrants, these women encounter unique challenges in integration, which often lead to social exclusion. Immersive VR platforms offer opportunities for social inclusion, intercultural communication, and identity exploration among diverse marginalized groups, including refugees. However, they also have the potential to perpetuate existing marginalization. Understanding the experiences of these communities is crucial. The research utilizes a comprehensive theoretical framework that combines cyberfeminist theory, Social Identity Theory, and Berry's Acculturation Theory. The primary aim is to comprehend how immigrant Muslim women construct and negotiate their identities in immersive social VR settings, particularly focusing on the interplay of culture, religion, and gender. The study uses netnographic methodology, conducting in-depth interviews and focus groups with a group of immigrant and refugee Afghan and Iranian women residing in Italy. The participants are recruited through interpersonal networks and local community organizations. This research contributes to both cyberfeminist theory and digital identity studies, as well as immigrant studies. Furthermore, the findings of this study are expected to inform the development of more inclusive virtual spaces and guide European Union policies on digital inclusion, ultimately fostering social cohesion.