TITLE Energy and perspective of the SIMA Thematic Groups

Before assuming responsibility for the Thematic Groups (GTs) Coordination of SIMA, we had already gained first-hand experience and experienced the many challenges that this role entails. We still remember the end-of-term meeting of the GTs’ Coordinators, during the 2022 conference at Bocconi University: there, one of our colleagues addressed a crucial question to the Executive Board that would be elected the following day, asking whether SIMA intended to invest in GTs. That stimulus did not go unheeded. Over the past three years, the SIMA GTs have embarked on a path of profound transformation, becoming a true lynchpin of our scientific community. In addition to bringing together scholars and professionals on shared topics, they act as laboratories for innovative ideas and projects. As a working group delegated to the GTs, we have witnessed first-hand the generosity with which Coordinators and Co-Coordinators have devoted their time and energy to achieve valuable results.
We have witnessed the multiplication of community-building activities, in-depth sessions, thematic workshops and publishing opportunities. Even more significant, in our view, was having recognised a central role for the GTs in the organisation of the annual conference we organise in collaboration with Sinergie – The Italian Journal of Management: the papers presented by scholars are grouped by GTs who, thanks to their specific expertise, guide the refereeing process. The Sinergie-SIMA conference has benefited from this, thanks to the identification of referees who are able to give quality feedback on scientific papers and point out short papers worthy of mention. Reinforcing the quality of the review process is the recognition of prizes for the best papers, awarded based on the reviewers' assessments, and for the best referees, collecting the authors' opinion on the usefulness of the comments received. These actions are designed using systemic logic to create value for members.
L’ultima in ordine di arrivo è l’assegnazione di un budget con cui coprire le spese delle attività che il singolo GT ritiene di utilità per i propri partecipanti. Parallelamente, l’internazionalizzazione e la collaborazione con partner esteri continuano a crescere, anche attraverso l’organizzazione di track congiunte nei convegni. In quest’ottica, i rapporti con associazioni di rilievo come BAM, EURAM e altre realtà accademiche rappresentano un passo importante per ampliare il network e rafforzare la visibilità della nostra comunità scientifica.
The revisione del regolamento dei GT and the definition of updated objectives have helped to strengthen their incisiveness, aligning them with the needs of a constantly changing discipline. Proof of this is their very growth: from eleven to thirteen, thanks to the introduction of Purpose-Driven Businesses and Artificial Intelligence in Management GTs.
From the GT Entrepreneurshipwhich inaugurated a Multi-Journal Collection and a Best Paper Award with EURAM, to the GT Innovation & Technology Managementcommitted to systematising the knowledge of Italian researchers in a scientific monograph, up to the newly-established GT Artificial Intelligence in Managementalready active with a series of webinars with BAM: each reality has brought a valuable contribution to the “SIMA mosaic”. The GT International Business has distinguished itself through outstanding webinars, joint workshops with BAM and the promotion of special issues in international journals. The GT Marketing launched a special issue on Sinergie – The Italian Journal of Management and strengthened networking among scholars, while the GT Retailing & Service Management focused on digital transformation and sustainability, publishing a scientific monograph with Springer and two special issues in the magazines Sinergie – The Italian Journal of Management and Micro & Macro Marketing. The GT Small & Family Business Business created thematic databases and consolidated its presence in EURAM with a special session at the annual conference, while The GT Purpose-Driven Businesses stimulated debates on the ultimate meaning of business action, promoting a dedicated special issue and a scientific monograph in the planning stage. The GT Strategic Communication created synergies with EUPRERA, highlighting the importance of strategic communication, also thanks to a special issue on Sinergie – The Italian Journal of Management. The GT Supply Chain Management, Logistics & Operations strengthened research through workshops and collaboration with BAM and EURAM, and established an award for the most innovative contributions. In parallel, the GT Sustainability multiplied its seminar and networking events and worked on a special issue for Sinergie – The Italian Journal of Management. The GT Tourism & Culture Management launched a series of webinars and joint tracks at the BAM and EURAM conferences, also establishing an award for the most original papers. Finally, the GT Strategy & Governance supported special issues in international journals and contributed to wide-ranging scientific events.
Many thanks go to the coordinators and co-coordinators of the GTs: Roberto Parente, Diego Matricano, Massimiliano Vesci, Maria Colurcio, Anna Paola Codini, Antonella Zucchella, Andrea Runfola, Paola Signori, Chiara Giachino, Patrizia De Luca, Maria Vernuccio, Andrea Piccaluga, Rosangela Feola, Elisa Martinelli, Cristina Zerbini, Alfredo D’Angelo, Elisa Conz, Emanuele Invernizzi, Alfonso Siano, Olimpia Meglio, Massimo Picone, Anna Menozzi, Ivan Russo, Alessandra Cozzolino, Marco Frey, Angeloantonio Russo, Maria Della Lucia e Angelo PresenzaThey are the reason the management research ecosystem has proven to be fruitful and dynamic, a real asset for SIMA.
This three-year period has confirmed the importance of a community that believes in confrontation, team spirit, and scientific commitment. The Thematic Groups are central to SIMA, ready to grasp the challenges of contemporary management and to anticipate its evolutions, in Italy and beyond. The foundations are solid, enthusiasm is high, and the road ahead looks even richer with goals to be achieved.

Beatrice Luceri, Giovanna Magnani, Fabio Musso – Gruppo di lavoro delegato ai gruppi tematici