Doctorate in Business Administration: Posters that tell the story of a research project

In most cases, the research projects address relevant aspects of the participants’ professional activities—professionals that must have at least 15 years of experience, and on average, have more than 20. However, there are also cases where the goal is to acquire in-depth knowledge in other areas.

For instance, Subodh Karnik, with over 30 years of experience in the aviation sector, where he has held various top management positions, wants to explore the topic of alliances. In this sector, alliances can take various forms and often address specific aspects of the business, but in some cases, they evolve into full joint ventures. These have great potential for value creation but are highly complex. “I’m curious about the drivers that lead airlines to form a joint venture and the expected benefits,” he says. Marco Tortoriello is his supervisor.

Kenneth Pulverman is exploring one of the major themes in his sector, software development. “Over the years,” explains his supervisor, Marco Sampietro, “the industry has moved from the concept of project management, which involves managing a development project, to that of product management, as once the product is ready, it needs to be updated and adapted continuously throughout its lifecycle.” Pulverman wants to analyze the impact of artificial intelligence on this process.

Starting her career in the media industry, Charmaine Augustine has moved through various sectors, always following the common thread of innovation. Her project, supervised by Carlo Salvato, focuses on a highly creative form of innovation: that achieved by Michelin-starred chefs, and aims to understand if and how the processes followed in top-tier kitchens can be applied to other industries.

Basma Sulaiman Gandourah , under the supervision of Catherine De Vries, also wants to analyze a sector related to her field. Active in healthcare associations, her project explores the topic of soft power exercised by countries at international Expos through heritage diplomacy, an approach that uses cultural heritage as a tool to promote international relations and intercultural dialogue.

Among the other participants' research topics are sustainability, explored across various industries and aspects, leadership, and organizational and corporate culture, employing different research methodologies—qualitative, experimental, and quantitative.

“Sustainability and leadership are also among the primary interests of the participants in the eighth edition, which has just begun,” says Director Di Stefano. “They also give attention to workforce changes, corporate governance, and use a research approach that tends to combine various methods.”

“This activity is part of a series of innovations we are launching in the DBA to foster the creation of a true community that brings together SDA Bocconi researchers with program participants,” explains Director Di Stefano.

The community came together the following day for a meeting organized by Associate Dean for Research Paola Cillo, where the Heads of SDA Bocconi’s research labs shared with the participants the topics and methodologies used by professional researchers.