The Department's research activity is broad and diverse, covering a wide range of topics that share a common feature: their current relevance and importance. This diversity is a valuable asset, particularly because it fosters fruitful interdisciplinary exchange.
With specific regard to thematic areas, the Department's research focuses on three main strands:
Sustainability, understood as a key dimension of business strategies, policies and competitiveness. Examples of research areas in this field include, among others: the relationship between strategy and sustainability; shared value creation; sustainable marketing; the relationship between corporate performance and sustainability; sustainable business management models; sustainability measurement and reporting; the implementation of the circular economy in businesses; sustainable finance; risk management and sustainability; ESG impacts; the integration of sustainability into business processes and organisational structures; corporate governance; new forms of entrepreneurship; product quality; and related topics.
Digital Transformation, aimed at understanding the challenges that current digitalisation and automation processes pose to businesses in terms of transforming business models and competitive dynamics. Research covers a wide range of areas involving every dimension and function of a business, from strategic to operational activities, from operations to relationships with markets and consumers, and from financial to real-economy aspects. It also addresses organisational structures, productivity, process redesign, quality and efficiency, entrepreneurship, technology and related topics.
Business Innovation and Competitiveness, encompassing both real-economy and financial businesses, with particular—but not exclusive—reference to areas of business studies that are especially relevant to the economy and enterprises in Italy, such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurship, family businesses, local economic systems, creativity, digitalisation, quality, manufacturing and credit. Research also focuses on sectors that are central to the Italian economy, including food, furniture, clothing and mechanical automation—the four A's of Made in Italy—as well as tourism, art, culture, luxury and other sectors.
To support these strategic research areas, an AI Commission for Teaching and Research has recently been established to promote the informed and ethical use of artificial intelligence in scientific activities.