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This paper presents the main results obtained from Electus survey targeting 471 Lombardy companies with at least 15 employees. The project wants to acquire the knowledge about criteria for entrepreneurs in the choice for graduates demanding a job vacancy. This study, also, aims to evaluate the features of a graduate’s profile employers for potential candidates in five job positions (Administration clerk; Human Resource assistant; ICT professional; Marketing assistant; CRM assistant). In order to estimate the entrepreneurs’ preferences about skills and competencies for the new hirings, Conjoint Analysis is adopted. Finally, using a new definition of the relative importance of attributes, the analysis finds out the monetary value for skills owned by the candidates.

Using data from the “Youth Project”, a survey carried out by the Toniolo Institute for Advanced Studies, we provide evidence of the determinants of the propensity to leave the native country by young Europeans and show how this phenomenon depends on the economic opportunities offered by the countries of origin. In addition, we underline the effect of individuals’ trust in the economic development of the country of residence as a main predictor of the intention of moving away.

Purpose of Review: This paper reviews the use of conceptual frameworks in research on active travel, such as walking and cycling. Generic framework features and a wide range of contents are identified and synthesized into a comprehensive framework of active travel behavior, as part of the Physical Activity through Sustainable Transport Approaches project (PASTA). PASTA is a European multinational, interdisciplinary research project on active travel and health. Recent Findings: Along with an exponential growth in active travel research, a growing number of conceptual frameworks has been published since the early 2000s. Earlier frameworks are simpler and emphasize the distinction of environmental vs. individual factors, while more recently several studies have integrated travel behavior theories more thoroughly. Summary: Based on the reviewed frameworks and various behavioral theories, we propose the comprehensive PASTA conceptual framework of active travel behavior. We discuss how it can guide future research, such as data collection, data analysis, and modeling of active travel behavior, and present some examples from the PASTA project.

The population ageing has become a global and worldwide phenomenon. Especially in Italy this process is strong and incontestable. In this scenario the work force ageing and the challenges that make urgent to find tools and measures to manage the oldest people can give to the “applied demographer” a significant role. Moving from the definition of active ageing we illustrate skills, activities and suggestions that a demographer could easily share with human resource managers interested in promoting strategies and policies enhancing employability and productivity of older workers. We report real experiences with ABB Italia, SOL Group and Italcementi. We finally give details on AMO (Age Management Observatory).

Background: There is growing interest in “Health in All Policies” approaches, aiming at promoting health through policies which are under the control of nonhealth sectors. While economic appraisal is an established practice in transport planning, health effects are rarely taken into account. An international project was carried out to develop guidance and tools for practitioners for quantifying the health effects of cycling and walking, supporting their full appraisal. Development process: A systematic review of existing approaches was carried out. Then, the products were developed with an international expert panel through an extensive consensus finding process. Products and applications: Methodological guidance was developed which addresses the main challenges practitioners encounter in the quantification of health effects from cycling and walking. A “Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT) for cycling” was developed which is being used in several countries. Conclusions: There is a need for a more consistent approach to the quantification of health benefits from cycling and walking. This project is providing guidance and an illustrative tool for cycling for practical application. Results show that substantial savings can be expected. Such tools illustrate the importance of considering health in transport policy and infrastructure planning, putting “Health in All Policies” into practice.

BACKGROUND: Over the past years there has been increasing interest in physical activity promotion and the development of appropriate policy. So far, there has been no comprehensive overview of the activities taking place in Europe in this area of public health policy. METHODS: Using different search methods, 49 national policy documents on physical activity promotion were identified. An analysis grid covering key features was developed for the analysis of the 27 documents published in English. RESULTS: Analysis showed that many general recommendations for policy developments are being followed, for example: general goals were formulated, an implementation plan was included, a timeframe and a responsible body for the implementation was often specified. However, limited evidence for intersectoral collaboration was found. Quantified goals for physical activity were the exception. Population groups most in need such as people with low levels of physical activity were rarely specifically targeted. Most policies emphasized the importance of an evaluation. However, only about half of them indicated a related intention or requirement. CONCLUSION: In recent years there has been a noticeable development of national policy documents on physical activity promotion. Following principles for policy development more closely could increase the effectiveness of their preparation and implementation further.

In non-experimental research, data on the same population process may be collected simultaneously by more than one instrument. For example, in the present application, two sample surveys and a population birth registration system all collect observations on first births by age and year, while the two surveys additionally collect information on women's education. To make maximum use of the three data sources, the survey data are pooled and the population data introduced as constraints in a logistic regression equation. Reductions in standard errors about the age and birth-cohort parameters of the regression equation in the order of three-quarters are obtained by introducing the population data as constraints. A halving of the standard errors about the education parameters is achieved by pooling observations from the larger survey dataset with those from the smaller survey. The percentage reduction in the standard errors through imposing population constraints is independent of the total survey sample size.