The term Renaissance – ‘rebirth’ – refers to a period in Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries well known for an extraordinary production of creativity, art and literature. Grounded in renewed attentiveness to human potential, it marked the emergence from the “dark ages.” On the heels of one of the great “disruptive innovations” of all time, the printing press, the Renaissance witnessed a renaissance of science, punctuated by the discovery and exploration of new continents, the growth of commerce – also across countries – the Copernican revolution and a renewed interest in science and discovery.
A few centuries later, the worldwide challenges posed by economic, environmental, societal and-health-related conditions are calling governments and organizations to act with urgency. Nations, companies, and ecosystems need to rethink and re-build their competitiveness to address the enormous challenges they are faced with (McKinsey, 2020). While the Renaissance emphasized the magnificence of human potential, a ‘new renaissance’ of the Italian and European system must leverage digital technology to ‘augment’ human talent and organizational capabilities.
Given the existential challenges posed by climate change, special attention goes to the interplay between technological innovation, globalization, and environmental sustainability. Doing business through digital and sustainable processes opens novel opportunities and poses additional challenges to firms who have an international presence and/or are part of complex value chains, often spanning national borders.
Given this background, we call for research papers contributing to the debate on how digital technologies can enable a sustainable renaissance of organizations’ competitiveness, considering both SMEs and larger corporations, as well as a new wave of entrepreneurs.
We encourage the submission of papers aiming to contribute to a wide range of topics such as (but not limited to):
● Ontology of digital resources, artefacts and technologies;
● Digital technology as a driver for entrepreneurship and competitiveness in a post-COVID-19 world;
● Emerging technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence), new ventures and business model innovation;
● Creation and appropriation of value in the algorithmic economy;
● Competition in digital platforms and ecosystems;
● Relationship between digital innovation, entrepreneurship and environmental
sustainability;
● Relationship between digital transformation and international business;
● Industry 4.0, additive manufacturing and new configuration of global factories;
● Digitalization of services, unified commerce and the ‘rebirth’ of retail.
The conference is organized around three tracks:
We intend for the conference to be held physically, while ensuring the highest standard of health safety. We remain flexible as needed and we’ll consider moving to an online and/or “blended” approach as needed).
Many have lamented the disconnect between academic research and practice. Yet, academics should have the market cornered when it comes to anticipating the questions strategists and managers grapple with – particularly in times of upheaval. Much of our professional life is spent studying theoretical phenomena and attempting to push forward our own and our colleagues’ understanding of the phenomena we study. When this background is brought to bear on timely topics of interest to executives, academics can serve as the leading edge of the reinsurance spear. But this objective can only be achieved by engaging deeply with executives. We want to lead in this effort and invite papers that bridge the gap between academia and practice. We take inspiration from the goals and aims of the MIS Quarterly Executive and will implement the following innovations:
The conference is in partnership with the following journals and related publication opportunities:
1. European Management Journal – Management Focus Section, tentatively published by end of 2021.
2. MIS Quarterly Executive – Special Section on the theme of the conference for qualifying invited papers.
3. Technovation – Special Issue, tentatively published by the end of 2021.
4. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management – Special Issue on investigating predictors, outcomes, and dynamics of technology-driven processes addressed by young innovative companies.
A best paper award will be granted by a jury consisting of both scholars and practitioners. The Conference Best Paper Award will be awarded at the conference. A networking session with Editors will be held.
Furthermore, three selected contributions will have the opportunity to be adapted and published as articles in the magazine Wired. The goal is to give visibility, also outside the scientific community, to the best outcomes of the conference.
● Erkko Autio, Imperial College London (UK)
● Susan Cholette, San Francisco State University (US)
● Joaquin Alegre, University of Valencia (ES)
● Francesca Cabiddu, University of Cagliari (IT)
● Sandro Castaldo, Università Bocconi (IT)
● Arabella Mocciaro Li Destri, Università degli Studi di Palermo (IT)
● Daniele Dalli, University of Pisa (IT)
● Gaetano Aiello, Università degli Studi di Firenze (IT)
● Varun Grover, Walton School of Business – University of Arkansas (US)
● Birgit Hagen, University of Pavia (IT)
● Ulrike Mayrhofer, IAE Nice, Université Côte d’Azur (FR)
● Riccardo Resciniti, Università del Sannio (IT)
● Roger Strange, University of Sussex (UK)
● Marcin Bartosiak, University of Pavia (IT)
● Diego Matricano, University of Campania (IT)