Tag: award

Elisa Negri wins the “Digital Twin Young Scientist Award”

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè

At the international DigiTwin 2024 conference, Elisa Negri, a researcher from the Politecnico di Milano, was awarded the “Digital Twin Young Scientist Award” for her pioneering studies on the use of Digital Twins in industrial production management, contributing to improvements in efficiency, sustainability, and circular economy practices.

 

DigiTwin is a prestigious international event that brings together companies from various sectors to share their experiences and needs in industrial applications, promoting the adoption of Digital Twin technology across diverse fields such as design, manufacturing, biomedicine, urban planning, energy, civil engineering, and more.

The 4th edition of DigiTwin, held from October 14 to 18, 2024, at the Politecnico di Milano, saw Elisa Negri, a researcher at the POLIMI School of Management, receive the prestigious “Digital Twin Young Scientist Award” for her significant contributions to the use of Digital Twins in managing production systems.

Since 2017, Elisa Negri has been conducting research on the role of “Digital Twins” in managing and controlling production systems.

These so-called “Digital Twins” are gaining increasing interest from both academic and industrial spheres due to their potential applications. They are virtual models that include data, algorithms, and carefully designed simulators that allow for “mirroring” real-world events in the digital realm. This enables the exploitation of data processing capabilities, scenario simulation, and the monitoring of deviations from predefined pathways.

Negri’s work is part of a research stream focused on demonstrating and quantifying how Digital Twins can simplify, enhance, and accelerate decision-making in managing production systems throughout their entire lifecycle—from design and commissioning to operations, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning, with a focus on circular practices.

The role of Digital Twins in decision-making is multifaceted, ranging from supporting monitoring activities to predicting future scenarios, optimizing parameters, and prescribing optimal actions.

The demonstrated benefits of using Digital Twins for production management include improved productivity (particularly through integrated management of production and maintenance), enhanced environmental and social sustainability (by reducing material and energy consumption and improving the working conditions of factory personnel), and the facilitation of circular economy practices in manufacturing.

Global IoT and Edge Computing Summit: Manufacturing Group article wins ‘Best Paper Award’

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè

During the GIECS 2024, held on 24 September in Brussels, the paper was awarded the prestigious ‘Best Paper Award’.

 

The Global IoT and Edge Computing Summit is a major international conference that aims to gather and present the most advanced research in the field of Internet of Things and computing continuum. The event brings together researchers, engineers, scientists and practitioners from around the world, providing an ideal platform to discuss the latest technological developments and industry trends.

The Summit provides an opportunity for leading experts in the field to share their studies through papers and presentations, allowing attendees of the most significant advances. A rigorous peer review process allows the organising committee to select the best contributions from researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of cloud, edge and IoT, promoting a deeper understanding of how continuous computing is shaping the future of the data exploitation.

This year, the paper written by Danish Abbas Syed, Walter Quadrini, Nima Rahmani Choubeh, Marta Pinzone and Sergio Gusmeroli from the Manufacturing Group of the POLIMI School of Management, was awarded as the best scientific paper. The paper, entitled “Approaching interoperability and data-related processing issues in a human-centric industrial scenario”, was recognised by the conference’s scientific committee for its relevance and originality.

The paper, first authored by our research fellow Danish Abbas Syed, is part of a new human-centric vision that will drive the future of industrial production. In line with  HumanTech ,the project financed by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) for the 2023-2027 period as part of the initiative “Departments of Excellence”, the paper explores the use of private mobile networks and distributed software architectures to solve latency issues and the management of data generated by process operators.

In particular, its content paves the road for the realisation of a computer network distributed among the different levels of a software architecture to monitor the state of fatigue of an operator engaged in manual assembly tasks. In its prototype version, realised at the MADE Competence Centre, the operator’s state of fatigue is indeed constantly monitored and, as his fatigue increases, a series of auxiliary operations is taken over by two collaborative robots, releasing the human actor from the most demanding workloads and thus enabling optimal condition recovery, while also preventing pain and inflammations related to the musculoskeletal system.

The technical-scientific community of the Alliance for IoT and Edge Computing Innovation (AIOTI), the organiser of the event, also expressed interest in the solutions proposed in the article and shared the need, highlighted in the paper, for appropriate frameworks in line with the ethical principles of transparency at the heart of the current debate at European level.

Tackling the evolutionary nature of supply chain configuration in the transition to the circular economy

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè

Supply chain transformation is a critical challenge for companies seeking a more sustainable business model. A new study proposes a strategic framework to help companies navigate this transition while maintaining flexibility and adaptability in an uncertain industry environment.

 

The transition toward a circular economy (CE) is a complex and necessary shift for our industries. Companies are increasingly tasked with transforming their linear supply chains into closed-loop supply chains (CLSC), integrating reverse logistics and recovery processes. This transformation is a response to environmental concerns and a strategy to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving industrial landscape. The automotive sector, in particular, is at the forefront of this major change.

In the research paper “Strategic closed-loop supply chain configuration in the transition towards the circular economy of EV batteries: an evolutionary analytical framework”, by Chizaryfard Armaghan, Yulia Lapko and Paolo Trucco, the authors introduce an innovative framework that offers a big-picture, evolutionary approach to developing closed-loop supply chains (CLSCs). The paper has been recognized with the Outstanding Paper Award at the 2024 Emerald Literati Awards in the International Journal of Logistics Management. This recognition highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in shaping closed-loop supply chains (CLSC) as we transition to a circular economy. By examining the dynamic interactions between technology innovation, product design, supply chain planning, and infrastructure development, the framework addresses the uncertainties and adaptive challenges faced in today’s unpredictable business environment, helping businesses navigate the complex journey from traditional linear models to circular ones.

It is especially relevant for industries like electric vehicles (EVs), where technology and markets are changing rapidly and unpredictably. Creating a CLSC for EV batteries isn’t just about small tweaks—it requires a comprehensive, long-term strategy that considers how technologies, market conditions, and relationships between organizations evolve together.

 

An Evolutionary view on Closed-Loop Supply Chain configuration

For those working in the field, this framework provides valuable insights and practical strategies to tackle the uncertainties and challenges that come with such a significant transformation.
Here are some key takeaways:

  • Bringing Together Short-Term and Long-Term Planning

Aligning immediate actions with future goals is crucial when developing a CLSC, especially in unpredictable technological and market landscapes. For example, companies dealing with EV batteries need strategies that account for the gradual increase in returned batteries and the evolving technologies for end-of-life management. When selecting suppliers, businesses should choose partners who can handle current low demands and scale up as returns and recycling technologies grow. This alignment ensures flexibility and the ability to adapt operations as market conditions change.

  • Building in Flexibility and Adaptation

Flexibility is at the heart of this framework. Supply chains must be adaptable, ready to evolve as technologies and markets do. Companies can develop transition strategies that allow for gradual changes instead of sudden overhauls. By adopting transitional configurations, businesses can slowly increase their involvement in processes like remanufacturing or recycling without overcommitting resources too soon. This approach reduces the risk of getting locked into less-than-ideal strategies and provides the agility to adjust as new information emerges.

  • Encouraging Collaboration and Co-Development

Navigating technological changes outside a company’s core expertise presents a dilemma: Should a company invest heavily to acquire new knowledge, collaborate with suppliers, or rely entirely on external partners? Co-developing technologies allows companies to maintain some control over innovation while sharing risks and benefits. This balance between independence and cooperation helps companies stay competitive during uncertain times. However, relying too much on suppliers for critical technologies can limit flexibility. Companies must carefully consider their long-term goals to ensure their supply chains remain resilient and adaptable.

  • Handling Path Dependencies and Avoiding Getting Stuck

Early decisions can set a course that’s hard to change later—a concept known as path dependency. If a company invests too heavily in a specific technology or supplier, it might struggle to pivot when new innovations arise. The framework suggests designing supply chains with flexibility in mind, avoiding choices that could lead to being stuck with outdated methods. By staying adaptable, companies can embrace new opportunities without being hindered by past commitments.

  • Leveraging Interconnected Strengths

Different parts of a supply chain often enhance each other. Improvements in one area can positively impact the entire system. For instance, a better battery design can make recycling processes more efficient and foster smoother collaboration with recycling partners. These interconnected strengths, or complementarities, are crucial for stability and progress. However, companies need to manage them carefully to avoid becoming too dependent on a specific technology or partner, which could limit future flexibility.

 

Putting the Framework into Action
To apply this framework, professionals working in the field may start by mapping out their current supply chain and pinpoint areas where flexibility and collaboration are needed. Develop strategies that allow for gradual improvements, setting short-term goals while keeping long-term objectives in focus. Establish systems to monitor technological and market changes so that the supply chain can respond effectively. This proactive approach helps avoid the pitfalls of path dependency and ensures the company remains agile.

Looking Ahead

This evolutionary framework offers a powerful tool for navigating the shift toward closed-loop supply chains in a circular economy. By emphasizing long-term planning, flexibility, collaboration, and mindful decision-making, it provides practical guidance for building resilient and adaptable supply chains.

As industries evolve and the importance of CLSCs grows, this framework will be invaluable for companies aiming to stay ahead, especially in sectors like electric vehicles where uncertainties are high. By embracing these insights, businesses can create supply chains that meet today’s needs and are prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.

 

Read the full paper:

Chizaryfard A., Lapko Y., Trucco P., “Strategic closed-loop supply chain configuration in the transition towards the circular economy of EV batteries: an evolutionary analytical framework”,
The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 34, No. 7, 2023, pp. 142-176

Alessandro Paravano has been awarded with “PMI Young Researcher Award 2024”

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè

At the Project Management Institute Global Summit 2024 in Los Angeles, the largest in-person signature event of the year for project professionals dedicated to elevating our world through project success, with over 4,000 attendees, Alessandro Paravano was awarded the prestigious PMI Young Researcher Award.

 

The PMI Young Researcher Award, an annual global award based on a rigorous and competitive selection process, recognises and celebrates emerging leaders in the academic field of project, programme and/or portfolio management with potential achievements that have the potential to significantly impact the discipline and practice of project management.

The PMI committee recognised that the research of Alessandro Paravano, a Post-Doc at the POLIMI School of Management at the Politecnico di Milano, is outstanding for its rigorous contribution to the theory and practice of project management, amply documented in peer-reviewed papers. His ability to bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and their successful implementation in practice demonstrates his exceptional capacity to contribute to both academic knowledge and industry success.

The research makes significant contributions to the fields of project management and space economics by advancing the understanding of complex project value. Traditionally, project value has been assessed at the individual project level, focusing on short-term outcomes and direct economic returns for stakeholders. The author redefines and extends the project success conceptualisation, by shifting the focus to project ecologies, which consider the interconnectedness of projects and the broader context they inhabit. This shift enables a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term socio-economic transformations that complex projects, particularly in the space sector, can catalyse.

The study expands the traditional view of project success to include both tangible and intangible forms of value.

For instance, the value of complex space projects in responding to global challenges is explored and demonstrated like climate change through satellite technology or to advance human knowledge by studying life in extreme conditions. His research highlights how the value generated by these projects extends well beyond their immediate financial impact, creating lasting societal benefits.

The approach of the study is grounded in Value Theory and Systems Architecting, which allows him to analyse the dynamic and multidimensional nature of project value. He underscores the critical role of relationships between actors within project ecologies—such as stakeholders, end-users, and organisations—and how these relationships shape the evolving value of a project over time. This perspective challenges the traditional project management focus on individual project success metrics, advocating for a broader view that captures the transformative potential of projects at an industry or societal level.

Furthermore, the research provides novel insights into the Space Economy, a rapidly growing sector driven by technological innovation, commercialisation, and new stakeholders. He contributes to the limited academic literature in this domain by demonstrating that space projects, often seen through a technical or economic lens, hold the capacity to transform industries, enhance human life, and even reshape societal structures in the long term. This work thus bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical application, offering policymakers and industry leaders new tools to assess better and leverage the value of complex space projects.

 

More details: https://www.pmi.org/about/awards/research-academic

 

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

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/

Fintech Awards 2024: Laura Grassi wins the Woman of the Year award

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè

The second edition of the Fintech Awards, organized by Financecommunity.it in collaboration with ItaliaFintech, took place on March 14, 2024.

 

The initiative, promoted by LC Publishing Group, aims to stimulate competition and growth in the Fintech world by recognizing companies and professionals who have distinguished themselves for their activities in 2023.

The winners were nominated by a  Jury of experts from the corporate world in the Fintech sector, representatives of Financecommunity.it, and representatives of professional Associations.

The criteria considered for the allocation to the best “Individual Professionals” finalists included technical and negotiation skills, knowledge of business dynamics related to the industry, commitment and ability to relate to clients, and professional reputation among colleagues.

Laura Grassi, awarded as “Woman of the Year,” is Professor of Investment Banking and Fintech Lab at the  Politecnico di Milano,  and head of the Fintech and Insurtech Observatory , where she actively engages in innovative research exploring the dynamic landscape of actors and startups, with a specific focus on Europe and international markets.

“It is an honor to be recognized for promoting innovation in financial services. For years, together with my team at Politecnico di Milano, we have dedicated to this mission with passion and determination. We firmly believe that innovation is not just a trend but a necessity that leads to superior performance in the long run and to more useful services for citizens and companies.

Through in-depth research and targeted initiatives, including work within the Fintech and Insurtech Observatory, we lead high-impact projects in the Italian context. From promoting financial identity solutions to supporting startups by providing crucial data for investment decisions and improvement, to facilitating partnerships and open finance projects for both large financial institutions and startups. Our research spans cutting-edge areas such as Generative AI, Banking-as-a-service, and embedded finance, just to name a few.

I am often involved in international projects, including those funded by the European Commission through PNRR and Horizon Europe, for new initiatives that excite us. The two most recent ones focus on supporting startups facing legal, governance, and growth challenges, and on innovating insurance methods to address climate change.

This award is an encouragement to continue on our path, driven by the belief that innovation is the key to a more sustainable financial future, and also a more stimulating one.”

 

The event was organized in partnership with CMS, EY, and PedersoliGattai.

For more information: https://www.italiafintech.org/2024/03/18/i-vincitori-dei-fintech-awards-2024/

Costanza Mariani wins an IPMA Young Researcher Award

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè

 

Her research ‘Empirical Applications of Artificial Intelligence to the Domain of Project Management’ proves successful

 

Costanza Mariani, a researcher from the Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, won the IPMA Young Researcher Award 2024.

The IPMA Research Awards aim to promote research excellence to improve project management by contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the development of the industry and are an important recognition for project managers who give their best to achieve the results desired by stakeholders, organisations or the society, while dealing with ever-increasing complexity and volatility.

IPMA Research Evaluation Baseline (REB) assesses and recognises research conducted to the highest global standards and promotes theoretical and/or methodological aspects by assessing applications according to the following criteria: research problem, research process, research results and people in the research.

Based on four demonstrative case studies, Researcher Costanza Mariani’s paper ‘Empirical Applications of Artificial Intelligence to the Domain of Project Management‘ analyses the application of artificial intelligence to four project management processes (selection of projects to be included in a portfolio, risk assessment, risk mitigation action selection, stakeholder classification).

The four cases were validated in real project contexts (specifically in Nuclear Decommissioning and IT projects) and the results obtained through the application of AI were compared with those obtained through normal human-based project selection, risk management and stakeholder ranking processes.

The results showed that the use of AI fosters process efficiency in project management and improves decision-making processes, while also ensuring the possibility of constant monitoring and the implementation of ad hoc corrective actions in progress.

 

For further information: https://awards.ipma.world/news/6487/

Giorgio Locatelli wins an IPMA Global Research Award 2023

Posted on | by Marta Re Ferrè | Leave a Comment on Giorgio Locatelli wins an IPMA Global Research Award 2023
With his project “The successful planning and delivery of megaprojects: a short and long term perspective”

 

Giorgio Locatelli, professor of the Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, has won an IPMA Global Research Award 2023.

The IPMA Awards recognise project managers who give their best to achieve the desired outcomes for stakeholders, organisations or society, dealing with ever-increasing complexity and volatility. The judges evaluated the applications based on the following criteria: research problem, research processes, research results, and research people.

The ten-year research work of Professor Locatelli finds a compendium in the project “The successful planning and delivery of Megaprojects: a short and long term perspective”.

Megaprojects are projects characterised by large investment commitment (often above 1 billion USD), vast complexity (especially in organisational terms), and long-lasting impact on the economy, the environment, and society.

Locatelli’s research was aimed at rigorously identifying the megaproject characteristics shaping project management success indicators (respecting time, budget, scope – phase 1) and long-term project success indicators (sustainability, value creation for stakeholders etc. – phase 2).

Phase 1 developed and applied an innovative benchmarking methodology combining qualitative and quantitative analysis to collect, select, and investigate good and bad practices and learn from a portfolio of megaprojects. The methodology has been applied to large transportation infrastructure, power plants, and nuclear reactor decommissioning.

Phase 2 leveraged a wider range of theories and approaches. For instance, a social identity perspective to investigate the impact of megaproject environmental responsibility on organisational citizenship behaviours for the environment, a micro foundation perspective to study people’s experience in megaproject; quantitative statistical methods as a structural modelling approach to study Firm and project innovation outcome measures in infrastructure megaprojects.

The students of the “Invest in Foreign Markets” Lab among the best in the international “X-Culture” competition

Posted on | by Mirja Calgaro | Leave a Comment on The students of the “Invest in Foreign Markets” Lab among the best in the international “X-Culture” competition

X Culture, the international business-themed challenge, this year saw the participation of 6,188 students from 171 universities and 53 different countries, divided into 1032 mixed teams. As in every edition, students are asked to collaborate remotely for 8 weeks in the realization of a real internationalization project for one of the four Italian companies selected by Alibaba.com that have subscribed to X-Culture.

The 44 students of the “Invest in foreign markets” Lab of the Master’s programme in Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering participated in the competition and were distributed to international teams by working remotely with colleagues from foreign universities. At the end of the competition, 12 students from the Politecnico di Milano distributed in 3 groups won the “Best Team” award, awarded both for the excellent peer-to-peer evaluations they received and for the quality of the final reports they produced, which represent real business plans to support the internationalization of the companies involved.

In addition to this, the Politecnico di Milano also distinguished itself with the “Best Instructor” award, which was awarded to prof. Stefano Elia, supported by Alessio Di Marco and Ludovico Benetel, for the commitment and professionalism with which the students were coordinated in carrying out their project, allowing them to also obtain prizes for the “Best Team”.

Awarded students:

Gabriele Capobianco
Giuseppe Carrabino
Andrea Cigognini
Federico De Cosmo
Sofia Monica Di Vincenzo
Emma Maria Antonietta Rosa
Francesco Faugno
Alessandro Gastaldo
Simone Gianotti
Martina Mauri
Beatrice Raimondi
Mercedes Maria Ugarte Herrero

For further details:

Awards, for the projects and the winning students

Best educators