Category: Events

Giulia Piantoni wins the Outstanding Paper Award at the Emerald Literati Awards 2024

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè

The paper, co-authored with Marika Arena and Giovanni Azzone, analyses how different innovation ecosystems can create shared value, identifying three main archetypes. Published in the European Journal of Innovation Management, the paper was recognised for its scientific impact and potential to generate real-world change.

 

Giulia Piantoni, Junior Assistant Professor at the POLIMI School of Management of Politecnico di Milano, received an Outstanding Paper Award in the 2024 Emerald Literati Awards for the paper titled “Exploring How Different Innovation Ecosystems Create Shared Value: Insights from a Multiple Case Study Analysis”. This work, co-authored with Marika Arena and Giovanni Azzone, Full Professors in our School, was recognized for its significant contribution to the field.

The Emerald Literati Awards are a prestigious recognition given annually by Emerald Publishing to papers that demonstrate exceptional academic value. Award-winning papers stand out for their robust structure and their innovative contribution to existing knowledge. A winning paper is assessed not only for its impact within academia but also for its potential to influence real-world change. Since winners are selected by a journal editorial team from Emerald, award-winning papers are considered among the most impressive contributions from the previous year.

The awarded paper by Giulia Piantoni and her co-authors focuses on innovation ecosystems and their capacity to support shared value creation. Innovation ecosystems are networks composed of diverse actors that, through dynamic horizontal relationships, can co-create value for all stakeholders involved, fostering innovation and sustainability.

The paper identifies three main archetypes of innovation ecosystems: Hub- and Chain-Driven, Place-Driven, and Competence- and Issue-Driven innovation ecosystems, which differ in terms of physical proximity and the presence of a dominant issue. By analyzing these archetypes, the research aims to understand the dynamics of shared value creation within each ecosystem, with a particular focus on the role of management practices and policies.

The paper was published in the European Journal of Innovation Management and is available open access here: Exploring how different innovation ecosystems create shared value: insights from a multiple case study analysis | Emerald Insight

How financial crises reshape global supply networks: lessons from the global financial crisis of the late 2000s

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè

Financial crises not only damage the economies which are directly hit, but they also spread by altering multinational production networks, with lasting global effects.

 

Financial crises have significant, negative, and lasting impacts on economic activity, leading to sharp declines in output, credit, and employment. These effects extend beyond the countries directly affected by the crisis, spreading through the activities of multinational firms within global production networks. These networks can act as transmission channels, as the shock spreads across subsidiaries in countries with varying levels of exposure to the financial crisis. Additionally, the reorganization of a multinational’s network following a financial shock may further propagate the crisis.

A study of Giulia Felice, Professor of International Economics at the School of Management of the Politecnico di Milano, joint with Sergi Basco, Bruno Merlevede, and Martì Mestieri, examines how multinational enterprises may facilitate the spread of financial crises across countries.

Published in the Journal of International Economics, the research focuses on European multinational networks during the Global Financial Crisis of the late 2000s. It investigates how the shock altered the structure of multinational production networks, affecting parent companies’ performance and their decisions regarding subsidiaries in subsequent years.

The study is based on a novel dataset tracking the evolution of European multinational enterprises (MNEs) and their networks from 2003 to 2015, approximately 18,000 multinational networks. The authors show that subsidiaries can be dropped from production networks even if their country is not directly hit. At the same time, parent companies may suffer losses in revenue and employment if their subsidiaries are located in financially impacted regions. In the period 2006-2015, networks experiencing a larger shock grew less, became more localized (with reduced distances between parent companies and affiliates, and among affiliates), and parent companies tended to relocate subsidiaries away from peripheral regions. Moreover, the business complexity of these networks decreased.

The study also highlights the critical role of credit constraints, and therefore the importance of a country’s financial system, in driving these effects. The negative impact was more pronounced for parent companies with higher leverage before the crisis and was exacerbated in financially dependent industries and among more leveraged affiliates.

Given the recurring nature of financial crises, understanding how they affect global supply chains and their broader economic implications is crucial. The reorganization of multinational production networks due to financial shocks can indeed have long-term effects on production efficiency, innovation diffusion, and employment in both affected and distant countries.

 

To read the complete article:
Financial crises and the global supply network: Evidence from multinational enterprises

To read the summary of the article: VOX-EU.

Roberto Verganti receives an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Vaasa

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè

 

Roberto Verganti, Professor of Leadership & Innovation and co-founder of Leadin’Lab at the School of Management of Politecnico di Milano, will receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Vaasa in Finland next September. This recognition will be awarded alongside other distinguished personalities such as the President of the Republic of Finland, a minister, and prominent international business leaders.

 

The Honorary Doctorate represents the highest academic recognition that a university can confer. This year, the University of Vaasa has chosen to honor 12 prominent figures who have distinguished themselves through their scientific and social contributions, significantly benefiting the university and the country. Among the awardees, in addition to Verganti, are the President of Finland Alexander Stubb, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah, Jacob Wallenberg, Chairman of Investor AB, and Björn Rosengren, CEO of ABB.

Roberto Verganti will receive the Honorary Doctorate in Economics and Business Administration. In addition to his role at the Politecnico di Milano, Verganti teaches at the Stockholm School of Economics, where he is director of “The Center for Art and Innovation”. He is also a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School and has collaborated with Copenhagen Business School and California Polytechnic University. Verganti is an ambassador for the European Innovation Council of the European Commission.

His studies focus on the intersection of leadership, design, and technology management, examining how leaders and organizations can create meaningful innovations and radically new visions. His collaboration with the University of Vaasa has particularly focused on design-driven innovation and how to enhance the forest resources of the Scandinavian country.

The doctoral conferment ceremony will be held in September and will be the sixth in the history of the University of Vaasa.

For more information, visit the University of Vaasa website.

APM Conference 2024: Giorgio Locatelli and Tristano Sainati win “Research Paper of the Year” award

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè
During the APM Conference 2024, entitled “Navigating Tomorrow: Future Skills for Project Professionals” on 5-6 June 2024, the winners of the Education and Research Awards were announced.

 

The Association for Project Management (APM) is an organisation dedicated to advancing the science, theory and practice of project and program management, and to benefiting the public through education, credentialing and research in the field of project management.

APM’s annual conference, “Navigating Tomorrow”, provided an important opportunity for delegates to explore the theme of the skills gap, discuss the continuing evolution of the profession and understand the profound impact it is having globally.

During the event, outstanding academic contributions in the field of project management were celebrated, with Tristano Sainati and Giorgio Locatelli from the School of Management at the Politecnico di Milano being announced as the winners of the “Research Paper of the Year” award.

Their research paper, entitled “Digging in the megaproject’s graveyard: Why do megaprojects die, and how to check their health?”, was selected for its in-depth examination of the termination of infrastructure megaprojects during the delivery phase.

The study analysed 30 megaprojects that ended during the delivery phase and introduced a new theory, “The Reverse Escalation of Commitment”, which clarifies the reasons why megaprojects are abandoned and the circumstances that lead to such decisions, and provides a practical checklist for assessing the health of infrastructure megaprojects.

This recognition underlines the importance of Sainati and Locatelli’s work in contributing to the understanding and improvement of megaproject management, providing valuable tools for the future of the profession.

 

Read more about the article: https://www.apm.org.uk/apm-conference/er-awards/research-paper-of-the-year/

Promoting Transition and Fostering Sustainable Innovation: The MUSA Spoke 5 Project

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè

 

Milan is globally renowned for its luxury industry, encompassing fashion, design, and all related sectors such as beauty and jewelry. These industries are currently undergoing a profound transformation, merging their high standards and exceptional characteristics with the increasing global and consumer demand for sustainable products and practices.

To manage the complexity of this transition, MUSA Spoke 5, a project funded by PNRR aims to design and disseminate best practices providing support to foster sustainable innovation, starting from the municipality of Milan.

The event ‘Dove il lusso incontra la sostenibilità” held on 16 May 2024 at the Politecnico di Milano marked a significant step along this path, creating a community of companies interested in activating a collaborative process, sparkling meaningful dialogues towards new practices through speeches from renowned guests.

Guests facilitate the conversation by providing insights about leading innovations in related fields, starting from the role that digital technologies can provide.

Paolo Stella, influencer and creative director of the @suonarestella project shared the value of critically reflecting on the role that objects around us can play in nurturing innovation.
He presented the project as an opportunity to exploit social media to generate awareness about fields like design, traditionally distant from mainstream consciousness, introducing new concepts and trends to a broader audience.

To strengthen the role of digitalization, Valentina Pontiggia, Director of the eCommerce B2c and Retail Digital Innovation Observatory of the School of Management of the Politecnico di Milano, emphasised the importance of integrating digital technologies to support sustainable innovation. Through the research of observatories, she highlighted how data analytics and product traceability are becoming crucial for promoting fair and trustworthy innovation. This integration not only enhances environmental sustainability but also reinforces social responsibility.

Carlo Salvato, Professor of Business Strategy at Bocconi University in Milan, contributed to the dialogue by discussing how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can achieve sustainable innovation by harnessing their unique capabilities of flexibility and local connectivity.
Sharing data from research of Osservatorio AUB he underscored the significance of diversity in age and gender as catalysts for heightened innovation and superior performance, shedding light on the potential of diverse teams to drive progress in sustainability.

Echoing the core values of the MUSA community, Edoardo Iannuzzi, founder of the start-up ACBC stressed that sustainable transformation extends beyond material changes. It involves fundamentally reshaping collaborations among stakeholders and nurturing systemic innovation. With his company, Iannuzzi pointed out the necessity of creating a global, interconnected system where various actors cooperate to reduce material consumption and foster sustainable practices.

The essence of this event lied in the matchmaking session planting the initial seeds for building a community of firms in the fashion, design, beauty, and luxury sectors. This community aims to bring together firms already committed to sustainability with those aspiring to transition towards more sustainable practices, nurturing collaboration to support each other in shaping a sustainable future. The diversity of backgrounds in participants strengthens the innovation opportunities that these interactions enable, becoming a paramount opportunity to interact with firms that are typically difficult to reach.

The MUSA community’s ultimate goal is to become a central hub for fostering innovative practices and supporting both SMEs and established firms on their path towards sustainable innovation. To achieve this, MUSA Spoke 5 will activate in the coming perioda digital platform to nurture and sustain the connections formed within this community over time, paving the way for a more sustainable future in Milan’s luxury industry.

 

 

Unlocking the true potential of recycling: A shift towards the circular economy

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè
A study by Davide Chiaroni in The Parliament Magazine

 

In today’s discourse, recycling is often hailed as a key strategy for sustainability. However, this In today’s discourse, recycling is often hailed as a key strategy for sustainability. However, this common perception tends to oversimplify the concept, in particular overlooking the crucial distinction between linear and circular recycling.

The article ‘Why a Circular Economy Would Be a Game-Changer for the EU‘ by Davide Chiaroni, Professor at the School of Management of the Politecnico di Milano, published in ‘The Parliament Magazine’, explores this issue and highlights the urgent need for the European Union (EU) to adopt circular recycling practices in order to increase industrial productivity and maintain global competitiveness.

Linear recycling, as a simple component of waste management, suffers from significant drawbacks.

Firstly, it almost always involves downcycling, where recovered materials are reused in lower value products, reducing their economic viability. It is also based on the “origin” of the materials, i.e. the supply chain from which they come, rather than their “nature”, which means that the same item can follow completely different (and sometimes very complicated) and inefficient paths.

Circular recycling, on the other hand, offers a transformative solution. By prioritising upcycling, materials retain or even increase their value when reintroduced into production cycles. However, this approach requires careful segregation of materials on the basis of their properties so that they can be reintroduced into the production process, as well as collaboration between producers and recyclers from the design stage.

For the EU, the stakes are high. With significant imports of critical materials such as lithium, cobalt, silicon and rare earths, the transition to circularity is essential to reduce resource dependency and balance material supply and demand.

The article explores these themes in detail, providing insights into the limitations of linear recycling and the vast potential of a circular approach.

 

Per saperne di più
Davide Chiaroni
Why a circular economy would be a game-changer for the EU

The Parliament Magazine, May 2024

The new role of the DAOs in health research

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè
A study on the advantages of decentralised autonomous organisations over traditional funding systems

 

A new way of funding pharmacological/health research, with the aim of overcoming certain constraints and making better treatments available for all:

this is the focus of a study published in the journal Nature Biotechnology by Laura Grassi, professor of Investment Banking and of the Finance Lab at the School of Management of Politecnico di Milano.

In the pharmaceutical field, long development cycles, high costs, significant failure rates and price uncertainty substantially hinder the development of new drugs. Traditional funding systems, which are based on the use of equity or grants, often prove to be slow and inadequate to meet the needs of innovative research.

Against this backdrop, the Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) emerge as a possible promising alternative. DAOs use blockchain technology to facilitate transparent and decentralised governance, allowing for quick and direct decisions without the need for intermediaries. Through smart contracts, DAOs can quickly perform complex actions, improving efficiency and reducing bureaucratic and administrative barriers.

The study particularly analysed VitaDAO, an example of how a DAO can be successfully deployed in the life sciences.

Focusing on funding longevity research, VitaDAO enables stakeholders to actively participate in governance and decision-making through the issuance of tokens, which confer voting rights and an ownership stake in the organisation. Not only does this model democratise the funding process, but it also aligns the participants’ interests towards the common goal of advancing research.

However, while offering numerous advantages such as transparency and effective decision-making, there are several points of concern: the regulation of DAOs and the tokens used can be complex and vary significantly among different legal contexts, creating uncertainties; in addition, managing decisions in a fully decentralised and public manner can be time-consuming and compromise efficiency in crisis situations.

Despite these obstacles, the case of VitaDAO illustrates the revolutionary potential of DAOs in overcoming the limitations of the current research funding system. Through strategic collaborations (such as the one with Pfizer), VitaDAO has not only validated its operating model but also proven its ability to attract significant investment, fostering a more open and productive R&D environment in the life sciences.

 

Find out more
The potential of DAOs for funding and collaborative development in the life sciences.

QS University Rankings, Politecnico di Milano reaches its highest ever position

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè

The university confirms its position as the number one university in Italy and ranks 111th in the world, gaining 12 positions compared to last year and entering the top 8% worldwide

 

Politecnico di Milano achieves its highest ever position in the QS World University Ranking 2025. This year, the University is ranked 111th out of a total of 1,503 universities worldwide, climbing an incredible 12 places since last year. The rise in the world’s most important university ranking continues: for the first time ever, Politecnico di Milano enters the top 8% of global universities of excellence.

This result was made possible by important factors that contributed to achieving this position. Politecnico di Milano ranks among the world’s top 100 universities in terms of academic and business reputation. In fact, the University improved its Academic Reputation score from 94th to 90th position. As for the Employer Reputation, on the other hand, the leap corresponds to a whopping 17 places, up to 82nd position.

Positive results were also achieved for the International faculty, with 10 positions gained thanks to internationalisation actions and 251 positions gained for sustainability: this is the effect of the numerous actions carried out over the past year, many of which were promoted by the University’s Strategic Sustainability Plan.

“Politecnico di Milano’s advancement in the QS global ranking is an achievement that rewards the University’s efforts to offer more study and research opportunities for young people, at an increasingly high level. Thanks to our three-year Strategic Plan, we have also gained positions in the area of sustainability: this confirms that the path we have taken is the right one also from the social and environmental impact perspectives”

comments Donatella Sciuto, Rector of Politecnico di Milano.

“A particularly significant fact is that this year, 5,663 universities from 106 countries around the world were analysed, compared to last year’s 2,963. This increase in the number of assessed institutions makes our result even more relevant, as it proves that Politecnico di Milano continues to excel in an increasingly international and competitive environment.”

These data confirm Politecnico di Milano’s outstanding results, ranking among the world’s top 25 universities in Design, Architecture and Engineering, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subjects 2024 published in April. In Design and Architecture, Politecnico ranks 7th; in Engineering, it ranks 23rd.

Call for 18 PhD Positions in Management Engineering

Posted on | by Mirja Calgaro

Politecnico di Milano is pleased to announce a call for 18 PhD positions in Management Engineering. These PhD grants include a full waiver of tuition and fees. The call is part is part of the 1st Additional Call 40th cycle with starting date September/November 2024.

Program Overview
The PhD Program in Management Engineering (DRIG) offers advanced training and preparation for conducting research in management, economics, and industrial engineering. The program aims to train professionals capable of conducting high-quality research in these fields at universities or research institutions. Graduates are also well-prepared for professional careers in manufacturing and service companies, regulatory authorities, and other public bodies.

Key Benefits

  • Full tuition and fees waiver for fully funded positions
  • Comprehensive training in research methodologies and multidisciplinary knowledge
  • Access to courses that provide diverse perspectives, theories, and approaches
  • Innovative study of problems using various analytical approaches
  • Strong emphasis on research and scientific cooperation with academic institutions and major industrial companies

Program Highlights

  • Certified as an Innovative, International, Interdisciplinary, and Inter-Sectorial Doctoral Course by the Italian Ministry of Education, University, and Research
  • Highly international environment
  • Graduates are esteemed in academia, government institutions, and industry

How to Apply

For more information and to apply, please visit:

https://www.dottorato.polimi.it/en/prospective-phd-candidates/calls-and-regulations/39-cycle/1st-additional-call-2023-24-1

Application Deadline: 1st July 2024

 

List of scholarships

  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4324-3764]
    Research topic: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IMPACTS ON ORGANIZATIONAL REALITIES: CO-CONSTITUTION AND CO-EVOLUTION
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4328-3763]
    Research topic: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO PURSUE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4330-3762]
    Research topic: BUILDING INDUSTRIAL RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF MATERIAL CRITICALITY
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4331-3761]
    Research topic: CIRCULAR AND SUSTAINABLE AUTOMOTIVE AND MASS ELECTRONICS VALUE CHAINS THROUGH ADVANCED DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4332-3760]
    Research topic: CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND MANUFACTURING EDUCATION: CHALLENGES AND APPROACHES
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4334-3759]
    Research topic: DEATH SENTENCE OR NEW LIFE? HOW TO MANAGE STARTUP-CORPORATE RELATIONSHIP IN THE DIGITAL ERA
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4342-3758]
    Research topic: FINANCING THE SUSTAINABLE DIGITAL TRANSITION OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SYSTEMS
    Starting date: 12/09/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4343-3756]
    Research topic: HOW DOES GENDER RELATE TO INNOVATION?
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4344-3751]
    Research topic: HUMAN-CENTRIC OPERATIONS AND WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT – COGNITIVE AND ERGONOMICS ANALYSES BASED ON HR THEORY ADVANCEMENT
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4345-3757]
    Research topic: HUMAN-MACHINE INTERACTION IN PRODUCTION AND LOGISTICS FOR SMART AND SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4346-3765]
    Research topic: LEADERSHIP AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT FOR INDUSTRY 5.0
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [INTERDISCIPLINARY call] [id: 4348-3752]
    Research topic: MODULARITY AS ENABLER OF EFFICIENCY, CIRCULARITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
    Starting date: 12/09/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4349-3755]
    Research topic: PEOPLE-CENTRIC, SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT MANUFACTURING
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4350-3754]
    Research topic: THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN LEADING INNOVATIONS AIMED AT FACING GRAND CHALLENGES
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4351-3753]
    Research topic: THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE STRATEGIC RECONFIGURATION CHOICES OF MULTINATIONAL ENTERPRISES (MNES)
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4352-3766]
    Research topic: THE UTILITY FUNCTION OF SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR: COGNITIVE ELEMENTS AND AI TOOLS FOR SELECTING IMPACT INVESTMENTS
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [INTERDISCIPLINARY call] [id: 4458-3750]
    Research topic: DESIGN LEADERSHIP: DEFINING A NEW LEADERSHIP BREED FOR OUR FAST CHANGING WORLD
    Starting date: 01/11/2024
    additional call
    topics
  • 1 position with scholarship [ADDITIONAL call] [id: 4459-3749]
    Research topic: FINTECH AND INSURTECH
    Starting date: 12/09/2024
    additional call
    topics

 

 

STAPLES: strengthening resilience of cereal value chains

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè
The project focuses on Middle East and North Africa regions

 

Countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions are particularly exposed to shocks in international food markets, and especially cereals, due to their low internal food production capacity and their high reliance on imports.

To address this challenge and increase the resilience of MENA food systems, the STAPLES project, coordinated by Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management Economics and Industrial Engineering, has kicked off.

The project, funded under the PRIMA programme and supported by Horizon Europe, brings together a consortium of nine partners from Italy, Spain, Egypt, and Morocco including universities, think tanks and research organisations, cooperatives and a multi country business network gathering several Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Mediterranean region.

Over a timespan of three years, STAPLES aims at co-creating and disseminating new knowledge about the external stressors and shocks that are linked with global cereal value chains, along with potential solutions that local supply chain actors and policymakers can adopt to mitigate and manage effectively those destabilizing factors. Leveraging digital tools, new insights and data from available platforms will be integrated into a dashboard and a decision support system that will guide stakeholders in adopting evidence-based recommendations and actionable solutions identified by the project.

The POLIMI team is led by Prof. Federico Caniato and is composed of researchers from the Departments of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering (DIG) and Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB).

Altogether, they will be responsible for assessing the resilience of MENA’s cereal value chain, elaborating procurement recommendations for public and private storage, and developing digital tools informing private and public actors.

The project also sees the involvement of Fondazione Politecnico Milano who will support in project management and communication and dissemination activities.