In this phase of ‘wild globalization’, started with Covid-19 in 2020 and then exploded in these last years with the piecemeal world war, the largest corporations have engaged in global communication plans, unprecedented in terms of the scale of their funding, focused on key words such as corporate responsibility, sustainability, inclusion. In the persistence of harsh global conflicts on a local scale, with the related landscapes of social and economic certainties and uncertainties, large global corporations have developed plans and programs recognizing that grand challenges require unconventional approaches and radical innovations. The issues underlying grand challenges are so large now that no individual organization can address them alone. Instead, large collective actions are necessary, including multilateral collaboration among multiple competitors (fighting rivals, and at the same time collaborating closely with the most direct competitors), within a network policy. In this times of savage global competition, horizontal and vertical collective actions of communication will develop with increasing intensity, with very different aims and objectives.
The aim of the research is to explore the evolution of the Corporate Identity (CI) construct by identifying what constructs of CI are fundamental in each decade, and develop an updated Corporate Identity Taxonomy based on systematic literature review, Big-Data analysis, and exploratory primary research. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, accompanied by a Big-Data analysis of the SLR through word frequencies, word search, and word cloud functions. Based on the SLR, the Big-Data Analysis, compared and aligned with the industrial development of each decade, the fundamental constructs of CI in each decade were identified, forming an updated CI Taxonomy. The study clarifies the fundamental Corporate Identity constructs as emerged in each decade and the formation of a Corporate Identity Taxonomy through the systematic literature review and the big-data analysis that were researched. A significant part of the proposed model was based on clues retrieved from existing research.
Designing and producing a memorable experience is increasingly seen as a competitive advantage in many industries. This paper suggests some lessons that may be derived from the experiential approach realized in the tourism industry. Three aspects are discussed. Firstly, we discuss the path dependency of experiences and its implications. Secondly, we analyze the ambiguities of the concept of authenticity. Thirdly, we stress the need to maintain a multi-actor approach in designing and performing experiences by pursuing experience bundling and experience co-creation.
The medical consortium represents a potential solution to the fragmentation and hospital-centered nature of China's health system. This paper utilizes hospital-level data from Beijing, spanning 2010 to 2018, to assess the impact of medical consortia on public hospital performance at different levels, with a focus on institutional isomorphism theory. The analysis was conducted using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) method, with the findings summarized as follows: (1) The establishment of medical consortia positively influenced outpatient and inpatient services, though it negatively impacted hospital revenue across the entire sample. (2) Further analysis demonstrated that the formation of medical consortia significantly improved outpatient services, inpatient services, and revenue in secondary public hospitals. (3) In contrast, for tertiary public hospitals, the establishment of medical consortia did not affect outpatient performance but negatively impacted both inpatient performance and hospital revenue. The results of this study offer the latest evidence on the impact of integrated care on public hospital performance. In light of these findings, it can be concluded that promoting medical consortia is an effective strategy for improving the performance of public hospitals. This approach has been recognized by the government as a crucial policy direction for advancing integrated care. However, it is essential to implement measures aimed at mitigating the negative effects of medical consortia on the performance of tertiary public hospitals.
From the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a new phase of globalization has begun, developed by the world's major multinationals (China, South Korea, USA, India, etc.). A new phase which can be defined of 'wild globalization', characterized by an exasperated and boundless search for profit, to satisfy the objectives of a global finance that since the 1980s have imposed on multinationals increasing tasks of business results (Profit or Perish). In the last ten years, China, India, Vietnam and many other countries have embarked on a rapid path of globalization. Global development is increasingly alive, and in exemplifying the continuous development of global opening, we can observe how the Catholic Church, in the last ten years with Pope Bergoglio, has also changed the logic of the basic organization, assuming a global vision. In 2025, the 135 eligible Cardinal electors of the new Pope represent 71 countries on all six inhabited continents.
In the last twenty years, the Open Access (OA) movement has significantly altered the landscape of academic publishing, advocating for economic models such as transformative agreements and Article Processing Charges (APCs). However, the APC model has faced criticism due to its associated inequalities and questionable sustainability. As a result, the Diamond OA model has emerged as a more equitable and inclusive alternative, as it does not impose financial burdens on authors or readers. Instead, it relies on funding from grants and institutional support, thereby fostering bibliodiversity and enhancing accessibility. The viability of this model hinges on the collaborative use of shared resources and infrastructure, along with ongoing backing from research organizations and institutions. In Italy, despite the increasing prevalence of OA publications, the market continues to be dominated by both large and small commercial publishers. This situation highlights the urgent need for enhanced public support and the implementation of strategies aimed at financing and sustaining Diamond OA journals.
This paper proposes a systemic narrative that contributes to understanding the current state of management studies. It argues that a lock-in situation is occurring due to the convergent impact of cognitive, functional, and political constraints. Cognitive lock-ins originate from a dominant epistemology. Functional lock-ins relate to the oligopolistic structure of the industry. Political lock-ins derive from the cooperative behavior of power structures. The paper suggests that a lock-in situation is inherently resilient, but signs of a possible change are increasingly visible.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most important and transformative technologies of our time, with potential applications in the field of scientific research. The advancement of management studies can benefit from the adoption of tools and methodologies based on AI. In this article, we argue that the use of AI-based tools for the development of scientific contributions in the field of management studies entails opportunities but also risks in the absence of an ethical approach, closely related to the intention to offer effective contributions to scientific advancement.
EU universities play a crucial role in addressing challenges by fostering innovation, competitiveness, and societal progress. To ensure the quality of higher education institutions, the EU has refined its university evaluation policies, particularly in the areas of quality assurance (QA) and accreditation. Research assessment in EU universities has also been under scrutiny, with concerns about the inappropriate use of bibliometric indices and rankings. The EU has made efforts to promote Open Science and establish a new European Research Area, focusing on qualitative evaluation and responsible use of quantitative indicators. The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) has presented an agreement to reform research assessment, emphasizing peer review and discouraging the use of rankings. International university rankings continue to influence perceptions of university quality. In response, the European Commission introduced U-Multirank as a multidimensional alternative that considers teaching, research, knowledge transfer, international orientation, and regional engagement. However, U-Multirank is relatively unknown and lacks media resonance. The impact of initiatives like CoARA and U-Multirank remains uncertain. EU universities must continue to adapt to these evolving evaluation mechanisms as they strive to meet the diverse challenges facing the region.
In recent years, there has been a gradual increase in the number of research collaborations and the production of scientific articles. To date, few studies have analysed this phenomenon in the field of management sciences. This paper presents an exploratory analysis of the phenomenon, with a focus on the production of articles in 12 leading journals in the field of management. Data reveals a twofold phenomenon: firstly, the exponential multiplication of articles in some top journals, and secondly, the near disappearance of articles with a single author and the concomitant growth of articles attributed to five or more authors. This trend gives rise to the necessity of addressing ethical and practical aspects in order to cope with the phenomenon, which could otherwise undermine the reputation and quality of scientific production in management.
This Issue of Symphonya.Emerging Issue in Management arises from the needs and concerns expressed by a growing number of researchers, especially young people in the early stages of their academic careers, of not being able to publish their scientific works due to the high costs required by the largest international publishers. In the eighties, with the massive help of electronic publishing, large commercial publishing houses have increased their control of the science system. The proportion of the scientific output published in journals under their ownership has risen steadily over the past 40 years. Where is the business research system going to? So, how to proceed now? Journals taking large fees without providing robust editorial or publishing services has created what some have called an age of academic racketeering. How can we return to the centrality of the science of management, without the commercial and profit conditioning created by the biggest publishers? First of all, it is now essential that the American and European Antitrust Authorities activate antimonopoly measures on an international scale. However, anti-cartel measures are not sufficient. Without any doubt, in order to ensure a robust progress of the science of management, and more generally of the sciences and of humanity as a whole, scientific research must return to a centrality of universities and research centers, with the predominance of researchers affiliated to international schools of thought and with autonomous and authoritative journals.
Since the 1980s, globalization has profoundly changed the social life of nations & has marked the decline of schools of management in the progress of managerial sciences. In the following decades, due to the serious European publishing crisis, major international publishers have developed M&A processes, offering growing paid subscriptions to universities and research centres. The publishing industry is now global with a growing number of editorial products, less and less differentiated & commercially oriented, that marginalize the scientific production of management schools. And now? today a new global perspective in management research is needed. A new global perspective in management research must be focused in schools of management, universities, academies and most authoritative global journals.
The decline of international competitiveness of European companies began in the early 1970s and since then there has been no reversal of the trend. In recent years, also due to the growing concentration of investments caused by the 'Oversize Economy' (Brondoni, 2019), the degree of technological advancement of Europe, the United States and China has lost all relationship with the size of their respective Gross National Product. In fact, investments in technology grow when the resources of a large developed or developing market are coordinated by a system of large corporations and finalized by a policy of applied research put at the service of a design capable of mobilizing the resources of an entire country.
In this paper, we review the literature on industrial ecosystems and EU Taxonomy of sustainable activities. We then measure the size, dynamics and specialisation of the industrial ecosystems in Italy - as defined by the European Commission. Subsequently, we try to assess how much different sectors will be involved in the Taxonomy of sustainable activities: Manufacturing, Transportation, Electricity and Water Supply are those strongly involved in terms of employees. EU Taxonomy will radically change in the near future the financial reporting requirements and strategic management actions in the corporate system towards green transition. Firms need to improve their level of knowledge of the Taxonomy and identify suitable actions in order to align with it.
The paper examines the evolution of non-financial reporting in Europe, propelled by significant regulatory changes including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) adoption. With the European Green Deal as a backdrop, we explore how sustainability has transitioned from a compliance obligation to a strategic imperative fundamentally reshaping corporate behaviour. By integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into corporate strategies, the new framework enhances transparency, fosters stakeholder trust, and prepares companies for the challenges and opportunities of sustainable operation. We discuss the potential of the European model to set global reporting standards and outline future research directions to assess the effectiveness of standards and their impact on corporate performance, investor behavior, and consumer trust.
Drawing on ethnomethodological conceptualizations of reflection and reflexivity, this paper develops a radical reflexive discourse of technology as simulacra, and critically examines the study of technology and the lessons to be learned from this perspective. As such, the paper investigates the textual practices in determinist, humanist, and post-humanist writings about technology, and re-conceptualizes the concept of technology as a radically postmodern notion.
Cost analysis is a method to enhance the costs efficiency by evaluating the corporate profitability. In today business environment of global competition, war pressures, new markets and demographics, firms are changing their approach to cost control. In fact, the strategic cost analysis provides useful information for the short and long-term decision-making in order to achieve the growth corporate goals. In the current phase of global competition (Global Shortage Management) corporations must adapt their strategic cost analysis (Value Analysis, Value Engineering or Value Management) to specific competitive policies adopted in certain markets, which may concern 'Planned Obsolescence', 'Total Quality Management (TQM)' or 'Zero Defects Productions' objectives
The macroeconomic crisis caused by COVID-19 has led many governments to take emergency actions for safeguarding businesses. In Italy, the suspension of depreciation and amortization (D&A) accounting represented a notable measure as it did not entail expenses for the state. This study aims to evaluate the impact of D&A suspension compared to that of international policies implemented with public financial disbursement. The results show that the measure – quantified in terms of lower business losses – has reached a significant extent, comparable to that of actions financed through public spending.
This study intends to determine the elements for adopting corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices that would boost the organization's performance (OP) either directly or indirectly in Pakistan's oil and gas sectors. This research demonstrates how companies may improve their performance by participating in various CSR efforts, for example, companies can encourage their workers by providing them with information about CSR practices, and they can support multiple facilitators of CSR integration to enhance OP.
The degradation of planet earth is no longer unknown to the world. The global emphasis on environmental sustainability has led to the emergence of Green Consumer Behaviour. Consumers are increasingly encouraged to adopt green products and services. However, green consumers remain a small market. This study investigates green consumer behaviour focusing on the influence of demographic variables. Using a quantitative research design, 398 participants were surveyed and eight hypotheses were tested. The findings reveal significant relationships between gender, education, income, and green consumer awareness and attitudes, but not age. This robust analysis was critically evaluated through the lens of established theories like the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Despite some statistical limitations, a green consumer decision model is proposed, and the study concludes with recommendations for educational campaigns and policy interventions to promote green consumer practices, providing a valuable resource for future research and practical initiatives in Mauritius.
