Fabio Corona is a third‑year PhD researcher based in Sardinia, Italy, working in Economics and Business Administration with a strong interdisciplinary foundation in psychology.
His research examines community dynamics and value co-creation in rural development, with a particular focus on tourism and local governance.
- Industry relevance tags: Rural development, Tourism, Marketing & management, Social innovation
- Core research problem: How social dynamics such as envy within local communities undermine rural development and tourism projects, even when communities are motivated to grow.
"Sometimes the biggest obstacle to development is not a lack of resources, but the emotions that quietly undermine cooperation."
Fabio Corona, The Short Version
- Location: Serrenti, South Sardinia, Italy
- LinkedIn: Fabio Corona | LinkedIn
Fabio Corona is a third‑year PhD student in Economics and Business Administration, researching community dynamics in rural tourism development.
With a background in organizational psychology and professional experience as a licensed psychologist, he studies psychological and social factors that shape collective action.
His work focuses on making research practically useful for communities, especially in his home region of Sardinia.
He is motivated by creative problem-solving, entrepreneurial thinking, and connecting with researchers from diverse backgrounds.
Understanding Community Dynamics
Fabio's PhD research explores how communities co-create value in the context of rural tourism development. Using the DART model, he analyzes the formation of destination management organizations, with a case study centered on Villanova Monteleone.
His work sits at the intersection of economics, psychology, and management, aiming to understand not only structures and incentives, but also emotions and social dynamics.
The Paradox of Envy
One of Fabio's most striking findings is what he calls the paradox of envy. Even in communities that are motivated to grow and improve, envy between members can sabotage development projects.
This insight has important practical implications. It suggests that sustainable local development requires not only economic planning, but also careful attention to psychological and relational factors.
"Development fails when we ignore how people feel about each other."
From Theory to Practice
Fabio is deeply committed to answering the “So what?” question. He sees little value in research that remains purely theoretical, and instead aims to build knowledge that can be applied step by step to real communities.
One of the biggest challenges of his PhD has been translating established theory into real‑world contexts, which required direct engagement with local stakeholders and an openness to multiple perspectives.
Rooted in Sardinia
Fabio's motivation is strongly tied to his home region. He is inspired by the challenge of preserving Sardinia's traditions while helping communities develop in sustainable and meaningful ways.
This personal connection shapes both his research questions and his long-term goals.
Curiosity Beyond Tourism
Beyond territorial development, Fabio is curious about the intersection of psychology, management, and marketing. Topics such as organizational well-being, human resources, and psychometrics in consumer behavior are all areas he is keen to explore.
Learning Through Diverse Connections
Fabio believes that connecting with PhD students and researchers from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds is key to his growth. Stepping outside his niche helps him discover new strategies and rethink his own career path.
Looking ahead, he wants to strengthen his creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking, with the aim of contributing ideas and projects that have real impact.
"I want to build small bricks that together make something useful for people."