News | Luiss Business School - School of Management

14 December 2015

Challenges and needs of tourism industry, experts meet in the Corporate Advisory Board at LUISS Business School

Soft skills, field experience, attention to the territory and human capital are some of the key elements of the Corporate Advisory Board (CAB) of the Master in Tourism Management. LUISS Business School began this process through the involvement of institutions, large corporations, and other stakeholders in the tourism industry to discuss the training programs and rendering them more effective. During the meeting, the debate produced new ideas and new expectations with specific regard to challenges, needs and opportunities in the tourism sector: the need to strengthen soft skills and behavioral attitudes, through lab experience; customer focus, in order to assure a unique touristic experience in line with needs and expectations; the importance of enhancing the territory, the culture, the experience; attention to human capital and operations, where there is direct interaction with employees and customers. The role of CAB aims to establish a strong link between training and the work market. The step forward will be a close co-operation among companies, institutions and other stakeholders, and the Master’s Director, in order to launch experiential seminars aimed to strengthen the technical skills and to allow students to work on their Field Project. Prof. Matteo Caroli, the Master’s Director, with the aim of strengthening the cooperation with corporate partners, announced the launch of a specific Competence Centre in Tourism Industry, in order to focus on applied research for the touristic companies.

11 December 2015

E-Book: Eco-Industrial Parks. A Green and Place Marketing Approach

“Eco-Industrial Parks – A Green and Place Marketing Approach” is a project, which has been co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. The author of the e-book is Matteo Caroli, Full Professor of International Business at LUISS University and Head of the Knowledge Centre at LUISS Business School, who worked with Marino Cavallo and Alfredo Valentino. During the last few years the transition from a non-sustainable to a sustainable world is becoming the main goal for scholars and practitioners. The extant study shows the centrality of “industry-environment” interactions in this process. Especially, following the idea of natural cycles, industrial ecologists are redefining the industrial facilities and infrastructures to optimize waste management and to reduce global pollution. In this context the most powerful tool is the Eco-Industrial Park. The latter is oriented towards a twisting of classical industrial estate and the establishment of a “system” which consists of business activities, natural sources, energy, raw materials, waste, final products, and labour. According to Lowe and Evans (1995), “the members of eco-industrial park seek enhanced environmental, economic and social performance through collaboration in managing environmental and resource issues”. This book highlights the pivotal role played by eco-industrial parks in this transition process to implement an efficient and sustainable use of materials, energy, and waste. It addresses this interesting and current topic through a theoretical and practical perspective. It gives potentially important managerial implications to formulate marketing strategies to enhance Eco-industrial park’s and place’s attractiveness. Download the e-Book (all rights reserved)

23 November 2015

The new challenges of Procurement Management

(by Riccardo Bini | LUISS Business School) 23/11/2015 The achievement of quality and inexpensiveness in procurement, with particular regard to the investment expenses, imposes a thorough evaluation of the elements that influence the overall cost of a supply during its lifespan, including elements, that in the past have been underestimated, such as the effect on the environment and sustainability. The knowledge of the buying markets, the pricing trends, the competitive factors for adding value to a procurement process are all key factors for success. Budgeting no longer means simply accounting rules: it is evolving to best practices with a continuous monitoring. The new technological tools, such as ERP and e-procurement, that have rendered automatic the buying process, are now opening to new opportunities, such as a marketing-oriented procurement approach, vendor management, suppliers’ KPIs monitoring, even through open source solutions available on smart devices. All the above-mentioned features are very relevant in companies that have already faced a growth, diversification and internationalization process. The Procurement Office acts as a border element between demand and supply and has a key role in the strategic positioning through the negotiation power, the cost control, the increasing level of productivity and sales and quality improvement for the final customer. To this end, an organizational model based on expenditures policies, engineering of processes and activities, monitoring and continuous quality improvement is essential. The mission of the Procurement Office should leverage on all the management tools in order to seize the opportunities from the new competitive environment and the changing technologies. In particular, it should be aimed to: Flat organizational models, that are oriented to the analysis of the strategic processes in demand/supply and to strategies consistent with thr Business’ needs and its time to market, operations and claims (which are more and more outsourced). Design of new buying processes with an early involvement of the Procurement Office, in order to assure the technical set-up of the needs (aligned with the market standards) and of the budget. Minimize the procurement risk, through the strengthening of the suppliers’ portfolio control policies, from the simple quality compliance check to a relevant moment of check of the suppliers’ capabilities. Global oriented procurement, even through the acquisition of certifications, which comply with international training standards, in order to share policies, technical language and networks. Boost of procurement innovation, even through not-conventional policies, such as the cooperation with competitors in no core purchases (consortium buying), the procurement service and the suppliers portfolio as business target market. Opening to the digital revolution, with new technological solutions or the innovation of the existing ones, in order to get a forecast-oriented approach to demand and supply (big data), to launch and run real time “comakership” with suppliers, to monitor the vendor reputation, to develop new kinds of execution (3D printing or augmented reality).

20 November 2015

How to Become a Global Fashion Brand

Today the first edition of the Master of Fashion Management reached its conclusion with the presentation of the Project Work developed by the students during the last months. The Project Work represents an active experimentation of the knowledge gained during the Master of Fashion Management. The students have developed a project based on the DONDUP case, which relates to pre-established objectives and real contexts. After having received the relevant data from DONDUP’s CEO, the students have worked on a detailed analysis of the brand, of the reference market, of the actual and potential consumer and of the competitive context. The final scope of this project has been to design a concrete path that answered to the purpose given by the fashion company. The outcomes of the Project Work have been presented and discussed during a formal session presided by REM, Partner of the initiative, and Carlo Morfini, CEO of DONDUP. Watch the gallery

18 November 2015

Executive Programme Business Continuity e Crisis Management

(By Antony Cecil Wright, Scientific Director of Business Continuity and Crisis Management | LUISS Business School) 18/11/2015 The course provides participants with a better holistic view of Security together with an excellent qualification in managing potential emergencies and disasters. The course will also contribute to improve the internal processes involved in business continuity planning and management, and, in particular, the relationships among the internal functions involved in such processes, like internal auditing, risk management, compliance, ICT. The possibility of learning and discussing relevant experiences on the field in many different economic industries is a major advantage in participating to this course. In fact, participants will meet business and security managers who will bring their experience in areas and subjects such as BC, CM, RM, communication, Safety, Cybercrime, Terrorism, maritime piracy, and in sectors like oil industry, tourism and hospitality, finance, small and medium enterprises. Last but not least, the course gives the possibility to appreciate how to obtain a better business continuity culture through awareness, standardization and operational and strategic decentralization of BCM towards the business process owners. Business Continuity e Crisis Management (Held in Italian)

16 November 2015

At 12 pm, LUISS Business School will dedicate a minute of silent to honour all the victims from Paris attack

Today at 12 pm LUISS Business School, along with all Italian Universities, will observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of Paris attack, as requested by Minister of Education Stefania Giannini. “This silence will be the voice of our condemnation and our determination of no fear” explains CRUI President Gaetano Manfrendi. 16/11/2015

09 November 2015

The launch of Project Organising Competence Centre

(By Andrea Prencipe, POCC Director and Associate Dean for International Development LUISS Business School) On November 4th LUISS Business School has formally launched the Project Organising Competence Centre (POCC) with the aim to promote research, build theory, and support improvements in project practices by forging a close collaboration with industrial partners in Italy and internationally. The POCC reflects a recent growth in research and teaching expertise in project studies within the LUISS Business School and the University at large. It is being established to address a variety of issues concerned with project-based organising in firms and projects, including innovation, learning, capability building, and strategy. The launch event has been well received: academics and project practitioners interacted and shared ideas and information on a variety of themes and topics. Dr. Mark Kozak-Holland delivered a very interesting lecture on impossible projects: using historical case studies, he drew implications and lessons to face current project management challenges. I have then chaired a round table discussion on Impossible Projects: Massimo Debenedetti (Fincantieri) highlighted the challenges for implementing innovation mind-set in a project-based organisation; Lill Von Bork (Ericsson) illustrated the synergistic contribution of tools and people for the delivery of impossible projects. The second round table discussion was centred on the Milan Expo 2015 – literally, an impossible project made possible: Marco Rettighieri (Italfer), Alberto Prina (Telecome Italia), Alessandro Francolini (Ericsson) remarked the importance of effective project management, team work, and effort and commitment of individuals. I should think that the November 4th launch event signed a good start in terms of topic and approach: POCC’s faculty is convinced that by linking industry and academia to co-create new knowledge generate the basis to advance the knowledge frontier in project studies to inform project practices and approaches. POCC and PMI will host the 4th International MegaProjects Workshop on 19-20 May 2016 at LUISS Business School. 9/11/2015

06 November 2015

Society and stock exchange: effects on corporate governance and compensation

Special guest: European Banking Authority Save the date - 22 January 2016 LUISS Business School – Sala Colonne Viale Pola, 12 Rome (Italy) On January 22, 2016 will be held the event “Society and stock exchange: effects on corporate governance and compensation” organised by the Observatory on Executive Compensation and Corporate Governance. The meeting aims to analyse the opportunities and changes required by companies that are going to be listed on a stock exchange market, paying specific attention to the impacts that will affect Corporate Governance and the management remuneration system. The debate will allow to examine in depth the new European regulation with the European Banking Authority (EBA) representatives, and to understand how the Remuneration Committee operates in the Italian governance thanks to the participation of the Presidents important remuneration committees. The event is a great opportunity to share opinions and talk about the relations between stock exchange and governance together with the protagonists of the new stock exchange season. The programme will be available soon. Save the date – January 22, 2016

05 November 2015

Welcome Day Master LUISS BS

On October 26 and 27, 2015 it took place the LUISS Business School Masters’ Welcome Day. The Dean, the Directors of the Master and the Staff welcomed all students, wishing them that the path they are going to undertake could be a personal and professional experience crucial for their future careers. Students are expected to be curious, passionate and open to collaboration, to welcome with optimism new opportunities and face forthcoming challenges with determination. Good luck to all of them! Watch the gallery of the event .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; padding-top: 30px; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Welcome Day Specialised Masters Welcome Day Food & Wine Welcome Day Event Management

04 November 2015

LUISS Business School and EQUIS: paths and perspectives in the video interviews with the Dean and the Rector

30/10/2015 Only 150 institutions accredited from the 15,000 surveyed globally. A single data that well expresses the prestigious EQUIS certification (European Quality Improvement System). The accreditation is very distinctive for LUISS Business School since for the first time in Italy, EQUIS gives a certification to an entire training programmes portfolio. With this regard, LUISS President Emma Marcegaglia pointed out that this achievement represents an amazing result that is obtained by only 1% of the business schools in the world. The recognition involves not only the Business School but also the Department of Business and Management, as proof of the internationalization process that we started," The two recent video interviews with the Dean of LUISS Business School, Prof. Paolo Boccardelli, and the Rector, Prof. Massimo Egidi, make evidence of what the accreditation means and what will represent for LUISS Business School. The Dean talks about a starting point, a part of a path that makes the School strongly committed on many issues. It is also an opportunity, as the Rector points out, in order to innovate teaching methods and to strengthen further relations with the corporate world and the public sector, both nationally and internationally.

03 November 2015

InterMobil, an European project aimed at SMEs to foster the mobility and the intercultural business training

The project “Intercultural competence training for SMEs hosting European mobilities – InterMobil” has been executed within the frameworks of the Erasmus+ Programme, funded by the European Union. The project aims to create a more favourable environment for youth exchanges and mobility programmes in the field of VET and Labour Market placements. InterMobil addresses different actors involved in EU-mobilities: SMEs and similar organizations hosting mobilities, intermediaries facilitating EUmobilities and EU-mobilities sending organizations; Learners that are involved in EU mobilities; EU mobilities networks, VET institutions and VET system in EU countries For more information on our current activities and forthcoming events, you can visit our project site at: www.intermobil-project.eu.

30 October 2015

Recovery in Real Estate and education: a great opportunity

(By Enrico Cestari, Real Estate & Infrastructures area, LUISS Business School) 30/10/2015 The increasing trend in Real Estate brokerage is an important signal for the entire Real Estate sector. The rise in the levels of trust translates in an increased dynamic of the transactions. In particular, the growth of Real Estate sales was 8,2% in 2014 (Source: Nomisma, June 2015), thanks, also, to the banking system which lowered the rigid loan policies. The recovery phase has begun, and it is important to pay attention to the importance of a different mind-set in order to benefit from the opportunities it brings. The increasing complexity and the global competition call for new skills and capabilities. With this regard, education is essential in order to train both the new upcoming junior professionals and executives with strong professional backgrounds. LUISS Business School offers two kinds of learning experience: EREF – Executive Real Estate Finance, an executive course for those who have already gained a working experience and want to strengthen and improve skills and networks; and MAREF – Master in Real Estate Finance , a post-degree master for young graduates who want to start a career in Real Estate. Starting from this year LUISS Business School’s initiatives connected to the real estate field will be evaluated and validate, form a scientific point of view, by a REAL ESTATE STEERING COMMITTEE composed, besides from the Faculty, by the major professionals of this field, to offer skills and profiles capable of answering to the requirements of a market that is becoming always more complex and competitive.

29 October 2015

Orlando Ayala: The Real Madrid Digital Transformation.

Orlando Ayala, Corporate Vice President and Chairman, Emerging Markets of Microsoft, will meet students at LUISS Business School on next 3rd November, at 11:45 am for a speech about the strategic partnership that he signed with Florentino Pérez, Chairman of Real Madrid C.F. at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Orlando Ayala will talk about the full commitment of Microsoft to ensuring that people from across the world can make the most of each moment of their lives. Amazing things can happen by providing people with the right tools, just when they need them in order to interact, create or share everything they can imagine. Ayala will focus on the amazing Real Madrid case related to the full digital revolution of the club. This new era translates into an unprecedented personalized experience for supporters that will allow millions of fans from all over the planet to enjoy their passion for Real Madrid anywhere, anytime and on any device. The fans of the club are the real stars of the agreement. Ayala will tell how they built a digital platform that is revolutionizing the way in which Madridistas can follow their team and share their passion for the club. Through cutting-edge technologies, supporters of Real Madrid will be able to access experiences, content and exclusive digital services, either at the stadium, at home or in any other location. A host of online services will provide an enriched experience for watching matches. For instance, supporters of the club will be able to access the stadium virtually, before, during and after each game, selecting the content they want to see when they want to and where they want to see it. The aim of this technological initiative is to make Madridistas the real stars of their own experience by allowing them to view and consume the content they want and also create and share it with their friends on social media and other digital channels. The event will take place on November 3rd, at LUISS Business School - Viale Pola 12, in the MBA class. It will start at 11.45 am and it will finish at 12.45 with a Q&A session when the students will have the great opportunity to interact with Orlando Ayala. Register for the event

28 October 2015

The photo contest exhibition on theme Expo 2015, organized by the startup Pixtury.com

From 26 to 30 October, 2015 the LUISS Language Café, at Viale Romania, hosts the final exhibition of the photo contest on theme "Expo 2015 - Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life", launched, in view of the closure of this global event, by Pixtury.com, an e-commerce portal founded and managed by Michele di Magno, former MBA LUISS BS. The winning photos of the contest will be displayed at the exhibition, organized and set up by the association Sinestetica Expo. Pixtury's contest opened an interesting discussion on the subjects of food and sustainable development, stimulating the creation of original artworks to show to the public. Pixtury is an e-commerce website specialized in the sale of artistic photos. The photographic community of the startup has now over 2,000 photographers and a gallery with more than 4,500 photos divided in 27 categories.

27 October 2015

Soft Skills Lab

(Di Luca Giustiniano, Associate Professor of Organisation Design, LUISS Guido Carli University) Few years ago LUISS Business School sponsored a research programme called “What companies want”. Surprisingly, more than 200 companies involved in the study seemed to converge towards a clear and simple, common answer: Soft skills! In actual facts, the evidence collected was not so surprising for people like me, studying and being passionate about the so-called organisational behaviour (in short, how and why people behave in certain ways at the workplace). The surprise was indeed related to the evidence that for (too) many years entrepreneurs, managers and scholars have focused their attention on the so-called hard skills: technical and vertical competences, linked to the educational and professional background, answering questions related to “how to do” something. Despite their unbeatable power, and undisputed importance, hard skills are not enough to be a good manager. More and more managers struggle in advancing in their career because of their lack of leadership or relational skills, just to mention two of the most cited reasons. Among the promoters of such a (re-)discovery of the importance of the soft skills, Jack Welch. During his forty-year career at General Electric, he led the company to year-after-year success around the globe, in multiple markets, against brutal competition. His honest, “be-the-best” style of management became the paramount standard in business, with his relentless focus on people, teamwork, and profits. In his latest work “Winning” he states his eight “leadership principles” that balance soft skills (communicating vision, building trust, motivating others) and character attributes (making the tough call, being positive, being nurturing to the core). This introduction is to say that our Masters challenge our participants to be exposed, educated and trained not only on the vertical/technical side, but also on the readiness to interact with their surrounding physical and living spaces. Dealing with own soft skills is not a walk in the park, as it requires self-criticism and willingness to share weaknesses with the other. Nonetheless, if dealt with the necessary open mindedness it can generate excellent results, and a good amount of fun. Just embrace your limits and turn them into your strengths! 26/10/2015

23 October 2015

Specialised Masters Welcome Day

On Monday, 26 October 2015, will take place the Specialised Masters Welcome Day. LUISS Business School will welcome all students that are starting an educational path based on lectures, labs, teamwork and a final Field Project.