DEEP BLUE: EXPLORING THE DEPTHS OF SPACE AND THE OCEANS AT THE NEXT FESTIVAL OF MANAGEMENT

The second edition of the Festival of Management by SIMA – the Italian Society of Management –solidified the innovative initiative launched in February 2023 to elevate management culture within Italian universities. With over a thousand in-person attendees at Bocconi University, in Milan, the event underscored the need to reestablish human connections after years spent in "non-places" devoid of relational intelligence.
The goal was to create a physical, welcoming, and empathetic gathering – free and open to all – where participants could not only shake hands but also exchange values of trust, inclusivity, friendship, and collegiality. This spirit of community is essential for navigating today’s epochal challenges and regenerating creative and strategic energy.
The presence of high-ranking civil and military authorities, as well as top institutional representatives, honored our initiative and reinforced our commitment to expanding the reach of management culture as a driving force for economic, social, and civil progress. The Festival of Management was conceived with this mission in mind, bringing to life visionary stories of leadership – not just corporate ones – through the voices of those who embody a human-centered approach to decision-making, guided by managerial knowledge and values.
SIMA, representing the Italian academic community in management studies, aligns itself with the university’s noble duty to serve as an inclusive and democratic civic institution. The festival strengthens and innovates the ethical and sustainable culture of management, helping shape new generations of leaders who recognize the importance of community-driven goals.
SIMA, representing the Italian academic community in management studies, aligns itself with the university’s noble duty to serve as an inclusive and democratic civic institution. The festival strengthens and innovates the ethical and sustainable culture of management, helping shape new generations of leaders who recognize the importance of community-driven goals.
This commitment ensures the Festival’s credibility, authority, and independence, leveraging the scientific expertise and ethical framework of management scholars. It is a fundamental pillar of SIMA’s broader cultural strategy to enhance the institutional impact of the Italian management research community
To extend its reach across the national territory, the Festival will be hosted in different university cities each year. After Milan in 2024, the event will take place in Naples on May 8th and 9th, in the historic halls of the University of Naples Federico II—one of the oldest universities in the world, with 800 years of academic tradition. However, the Festival will also expand beyond academia, engaging the wider city through a strategic partnership with the Naples Industrial Union, reinforcing the shared vision that earned Naples the title of Italy’s "Capital of Business Culture" in 2025.
The central theme of this edition is Deep Blue, exploring the interconnected realms of deep space and the ocean depths. At its core, management is about exploring, innovating, reorganizing, regenerating, and developing human capital – facing the unknown with courage, determination, and knowledge.
While space exploration and deep-sea research may seem worlds apart, they offer remarkable parallels for management, which is inherently drawn to discovery and thrives on tackling uncertainty through continuous problem-solving.
In this context, blue symbolizes a new frontier for humanity – one that challenges us to push beyond our limits with curiosity, resilience, and determination. It embodies the aspiration for scientific, technological, political, and social breakthroughs that redefine what is possible. The discussions on Space and Blue Economy will feature experts engaging in open, dynamic, and unconventional conversations, highlighting how technological advancements shape the management of complex organizations. At the same time, these debates will address the critical role of human intelligence – far too precious, creative, empathetic, and inclusive to be relegated to secondary decision-making roles amid today’s volatile geopolitical and economic landscape.
With this vision in mind, the upcoming edition will feature an array of high-profile, forward-thinking talks on economic and social impact, involving SIMA-affiliated researchers and faculty members, along with significant contributions from the younger generation – SIMA’s NextGen community.
Once again, the Festival will place a strong emphasis on female leadership. A groundbreaking partnership with Invitalia has enabled, with the “Make It a Case Project”, the creation of university-wide initiatives that promote women’s leadership in business and economic development.
The third edition of the Festival will introduce many exciting innovations. Discussions will tackle pressing issues such as geopolitical and environmental challenges, urban regeneration, and public health management. These conversations will involve dozens of experts, scholars, journalists, professionals, and students, all contributing to a greater awareness of the importance of sustainable managerial practices in fostering economic, social, and civic well-being.
These are just a few of the thought-provoking ideas we will explore at the upcoming Festival of Management. Together with our participants, we aim to contribute actively to the dissemination of high-level management knowledge, driving economic, social, and civic progress for our communities and territories.
Hoping to see you in Napoli, City of the Blue Sea and the Blue Sky

Prof. Roberto Vona
Ideatore e Delegato SIMA per il Coordinamento del Festival del Management
https://www.festivaldelmanagement.eu/festival-del-management