Archive
Luigi Guatri: The Legacy of a Master
Professor Luigi Guatri's legacy resonates deeply within Bocconi University and throughout the landscape of Italian economic and business thought. A master in the truest sense of the word: a rigorous scholar, an intellectual guide, and a point of reference for generations of academics and students. After teaching at the University of Genoa and the University of Parma, he returned to Bocconi as a full professor in 1969, taking on roles of increasing responsibility: director of various institutes, managing director, rector, and vice president. I met Professor Guatri in 1973 while attending his course ...
Finance for Europe
In his latest report on Europe’s present and future competitiveness, Mario Draghi argues that Europe is in a paradoxical situation: it appears stable but has unknowingly fallen ill. It has set ambitious environmental targets, possibly beyond its reach, while neglecting applied business research and struggling with the ambiguity between national sovereignty and the role of supranational institutions. Rather than treating terminal illnesses, can we still prevent the worst through proactive interventions? And can finance play a role? Europe in the Third MillenniumIt is easy to overlook Europe’s ...
Successful Business Cases: AI Implementation Best Practices
In September 2023, Microsoft Italy launched the AI L.A.B. (Learn – Adopt – Benefit) project, an initiative designed to help companies assess and implement generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions through tailored consulting, training, and skill development to enhance individual productivity and business competitiveness. Including currently over 320 companies and 450 generative AI projects—half already in production—the program has also trained thousands of professionals in AI-related skills. The project involves universities, institutions, and strategic partners to bridge the ...
Digital Platforms and Sustainability: a New Corporate Branding Model for the Future
The rise of digital platforms has created new opportunities for companies to interact with consumers and expand their networks. Digitalization has driven significant technological and cultural shifts, with a growing emphasis on corporate identity and sustainability. Platforms have evolved beyond mere technological tools into dynamic ecosystems, enabling businesses to reach diverse customer segments while fostering innovation and growth. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the transition to a more digital landscape, where platforms became indispensable for daily activities such as shopping and remote ...
Trump, the Dollar and the Euro
In the wake of Donald Trump's second term as President of the United States, global attention has turned to the future of the dollar and its implications for the world economy. From a short-term economic analysis perspective, the dollar has appreciated, influenced in part by the tariff policies first announced and later implemented by the newly elected president. What does this mean for the euro? A depreciation of our currency increases the risk of inflation. This is a scenario that the European Central Bank (ECB) is well aware of, yet it does not seem to be a pressing concern ...
Branded Apps & Coupons: Keys to Customer Loyalty
In today’s fiercely competitive retail landscape, the challenge of keeping customers engaged and encouraging repeat visits is greater than ever. Retailers are increasingly turning to digital solutions like branded apps and coupons to tackle this issue head-on. The big question is: how can these tools not only attract customers but also keep them loyal and increase their spending over time? Branded Apps: Building Stronger Connections First of all, we focused on branded apps, which offer a unique opportunity for retailers to create more meaningful connections with their customers. Through an ...
Companies, Entrepreneurs, and Growth: Guido’s Open Challenges
Guido Corbetta never failed to make an impression on people. Indeed, he left a deep, indelible mark, a legacy of ideas and challenges that are now ours to nurture and grow. Guido not only ran our Economia & Management magazine, he also held many roles at SDA and the University. But more than all this, he paved new paths, with his signature style that always characterized everything he did. And thinking of these new paths, family businesses are what immediately come to mind, the common theme in all his studies and all his work. This was his biggest passion, what drove him to tackle issues like ...
Ambidexterity: Imagining the Future While Honoring Identity
Tex Willer, the legendary comic book hero, is an unbeatable gunslinger. Although he has no superpowers, his ambidextrous ability to handle two Colt 45s with precision makes him a force to be reckoned with. Companies should draw inspiration from this ambidextrous prowess, which is, in essence, the ability of individuals and organizations to balance innovation with efficiency, to strike an equilibrium between certainty and new possibilities. While it’s essential to avoid overloading – how can one do everything simultaneously and do it well? – it’s equally critical for companies to adopt ...
Italy's Economic Future: What Exports Reveal
Financially speaking, whether exports exceed imports or vice versa is generally insignificant. Exports represent surplus goods and services that cannot be absorbed domestically and that our trade partners kindly accept in exchange for goods and services we lack. When exports surpass imports, we effectively extend credit to foreign customers; when the reverse happens, we take on debt with them. Sometimes it is better to lend, other times to borrow. As long as debts are eventually settled, exports and imports hold equal importance. So, why is discussing exports in Italy so important? There are several ...
Exploring the Market and Understanding AI Applications
This phase marks the initial step toward embracing AI. Ideally, the analysis of how to integrate technology into a company should stem solely from business needs, opportunities, and objectives. The ultimate goal should be solving a problem, which will dictate the choice of technology. However, from a pragmatic perspective, technology cannot be utilized without understanding its potential. Therefore, it is crucial to begin with mapping and analyzing the external market environment. One effective method for external market monitoring is conducting exploratory scouting. A technology scouting process ...