As members of the School of Management of Politecnico di Milano, we are aware that profound interlinkages exist between business enterprises, society and the environment. A lasting improvement in the economic performances of firms and countries can be achieved only if people and their dignity are protected, social welfare is enhanced, natural resources are managed efficiently and the global environment is defended, business ethics is promoted.
At the same time, we know that corporations may be a positive agent of change. Firms, alone or in partnerships with other private or public players, are at the origin of many of the technological, organizational, institutional innovations that maximize economic growth, social cohesion and environment conservation in a balanced way, and create a truly sustainable value.
It is for this reason that concepts such as responsible business, social innovation, sustainable business models, industrial sustainability, resources efficiency and circularity, and the associated analytical and operational instruments, have an increasing weight in the School’s programs, and in our research and knowledge transfer activity.
As a School that operates at the intersection between engineering, management and economics, we dive into solutions for sustainability at all levels of management. In addition to the implications for policy and strategy making, we investigate and teach how sustainability change corporate processes, supply chains, operations and technologies across different industries.
