The PhD programme in Economics and Management for Innovation and Sustainability (EMIS) is grounded in the cultural and scientific domains of economic and managerial disciplines.
Its objective is to provide advanced training in both economic and managerial sciences. The programme aims to train researchers on topics that require an interdisciplinary approach, enhancing the integration of methods and cultural contributions typical of general economics and business economics. The fundamental goal is to develop in doctoral candidates a critical mindset and a strong inclination towards scientific research, through a coordinated and integrated contribution of teaching, research, and empirical application activities, both collective and individual.
The study and research path will give ample space to statistical-mathematical and quantitative analysis methodologies, as well as to historical and qualitative analysis methods, with the aim of developing empirical analysis skills relevant to today’s complex economic reality.
The PhD programme has a strong international orientation, as demonstrated by numerous agreements and collaborations established with European and non-European universities.
The research topics, defined in their interactions and specificities, focus on the analysis of business behaviour paradigms, information systems, and business management and organisation processes on the one hand, and on the analysis of the complexity of socio-economic and policy phenomena at local, regional, and macroeconomic levels on the other. The aim of the programme is to provide multidisciplinary and cross-cutting knowledge, both in content and in research methodologies.
The structure into curricula seeks to combine integrated and complementary knowledge for the study of markets, public policies, and business systems, as well as strategic positioning in international markets. Both curricula emphasise data analysis techniques and statistical-quantitative methods.
Within the Economics curriculum, research topics range from behavioural economics to applied microeconomics, from macroeconomics to international monetary economics. Labour and education economics also play a central role, alongside the complex influence of institutions at micro and macroeconomic levels. Global markets (firms, sectors, and policies) and international production fragmentation processes represent one of the most significant changes in the global economy. In this context, particular attention is paid to the innovation ecosystem and related topics such as productivity and growth, technology transfer, the development of financial and insurance markets, the role of start-ups, venture capital, and the impact of international production fragmentation on global trade, business competitiveness, and the interpretation of macroeconomic indicators and policies. Special emphasis will be placed on the ability to develop scenarios that consider potential reversals in international production fragmentation trends.
Doctoral candidates will also be required to develop projects addressing sustainability from multiple perspectives, including financial, environmental, and social, recognising that the push towards ‘green’ investments and/or policies must address not only the issue of individual behaviours needed to support that push, but also the redistributive and well-being consequences of proposed policies.
The Management and Finance curriculum focuses on the study of business systems using the typical approaches of business disciplines: business economics, business management, finance, and organisation.
In the area of business economics, attention is focused on emerging business paradigms within the knowledge economy and digital economy, with specific reference to the impact of intangible resources and intellectual capital in value creation and measurement processes, including as tools to facilitate the resolution of business crises.
Regarding the area of economics and management, topics include private and public business management, innovation, sustainability, and internationalisation strategies. Within the broader area of sustainability, topics include circular economic models, social responsibility, and ethics to achieve co-creation of value. In the area of innovation, the programme analyses the evolution of business perspectives, systems, and processes in the era of Industry 4.0, outlining the processes that have profoundly transformed the mechanisms through which manufacturing firms have historically produced value, innovation, and well-being. An additional focus will address the managerial aspects of the bank-firm relationship in light of the rapid and profound changes in the socio-economic, competitive, and regulatory environment.
As for the finance area, the curriculum aims to train scholars with a solid background in corporate finance, focusing on financial strategies to maximise value in innovative firms, in relation to equity and debt markets, and in terms of alternative finance.
Regarding the organisation area, attention is placed on firms as social systems, the behaviour of individuals, groups, and organisations, digital transformation and change management, the impact of new technologies on organisations, decision-making processes in emergency situations, and the evolution of digital learning ecosystems.
Both curricula address topics of relevance for Industry 4.0 and Big Data and are fully aligned with the research scenarios defined by Horizon Europe, the National Research Plan, and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).