Trasformare il management: una responsabilità della nostra comunità scientifica

A scientific conference achieves its highest purpose when, in addition to presenting new research findings and perspectives, it helps to shape the debate and raise questions of relevance to society. It was in this spirit that the University of Pavia hosted the 2026 edition of the Sinergie-SIMA Conference, dedicated to the theme Transforming Management in the Era of Post-Globalisation and the Agentic Economy. Transforming Management in the Era of Post-Globalization and Agentic Economy.

The figures bear witness to the conference’s vitality and the considerable organisational effort involved: 485 participants, 4 plenary sessions, 49 parallel sessions, 249 short papers and 66 long papers presented, thanks also to the contribution of 290 reviewers. Eight awards were presented, ranging from the Sinergie Italian Journal of Management prizes for Best Paper and Best Reviewer to the Conference Selected and Best Papers, from the Outstanding Practice-Oriented Long Paper to the Conference Short Papers’ Mentions, and including the Outstanding Conference Reviewers, Outstanding Young Scholar Reviewers, and Outstanding Teachers. These figures confirm the growth of the SIMA community and the quality of Italian management research.

The conference topic invited reflection on a context characterised by profound transformations. Geopolitical tensions, the reconfiguration of global value chains, the return of industrial policies, the growing focus on economic security, and the emergence of agentic artificial intelligence are not independent phenomena, but rather the various dimensions of a systemic change that is redefining markets, institutions, technologies, and society.

Speaking of post-globalisation does not mean evoking the end of globalisation, but rather recognising the onset of a new phase, in which trade and production flows are being reorganised, whilst intangible flows – data, knowledge, algorithms and computational capacity – continue to accelerate.’ At the same time, the “agentic economy” is reshaping the role of artificial intelligence, which is increasingly capable of planning, coordinating activities and interacting autonomously with people and other intelligent systems. Consequently, the boundaries of the organisation, the skills required, business models, and the very role of management are changing.

It is precisely here that the deeper meaning of the conference title emerges: Transforming Management is not merely about management’s ability to guide the transformation of organisations, but highlights the need for management itself, as both a scientific discipline and a professional practice, to evolve in order to interpret increasingly complex “phenomena”. non riguarda soltanto la capacità del management di guidare la trasformazione delle organizzazioni, ma richiama la necessità che il management stesso, come disciplina scientifica e pratica professionale, evolva per interpretare ”fenomeni” sempre più complessi.

The plenary sessions and roundtables translated these reflections into concrete discussion. A plenary session dedicated to research evaluation, in light of the new regulatory framework introduced by Bill No. 1518 on university recruitment, provided an opportunity to compare different perspectives and, above all, offered young researchers a chance to update their knowledge and reflect on the implications of the changes underway. The roundtable Future of Management Studies brought together the presidents of various international management academic societies, offering a comparative perspective on the challenges facing the discipline and on global research priorities.The roundtable The Role of AI in Misbehaving and Mismanaging the Process of Publishingalso attracted considerable interest, with editors from some of the leading international management journals discussing the opportunities, risks, and responsibilities associated with the use of artificial intelligence in editorial processes and academic publishing.

Among the new features of the 2026 edition, the Conference hosted a dedicated space for Italian research centres in the field of management, providing an opportunity to present their activities, projects, and opportunities for collaboration to the scientific community. The presence of numerous specialist publishers further enriched opportunities for discussion and networking between academics and industry professionals.

Among the initiatives aimed at fostering the growth of the scientific community, the Paper Development Workshop, coordinated by Giovanna Magnani and Birgit Hagen (University of Pavia), stood out. During the workshop, participants were able to engage with internationally renowned editors and scholars, receiving useful guidance on developing their work and on the publication process in leading scientific management journals.

The sessions dedicated to thematic groups painted a picture of a dynamic discipline, open to interdisciplinary dialogue and increasingly focused on engagement with businesses and institutions. The presence of international keynote speakers, editors of prestigious scientific journals, and representatives from the business sector further reinforced this focus.
The Sinergie-SIMA 2026 Conference leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the, albeit important, outcomes of this edition. It has fostered new academic relationships, collaborations, and research ideas, whilst confirming the vitality of the SIMA community. In a context characterised by profound economic, technological, and geopolitical transformations, management cannot simply accompany change: it must help to understand it, guide it, and, where possible, anticipate it. This is the responsibility that lies ahead for our scientific community and is, at the same time, the most important contribution we can offer to businesses, institutions, and society. The most important contribution we can offer to businesses and society.

Stefano Denicolai, Antonella Zucchella, Beatrice Luceri e Marta Ugolini

Chair del Sinergie-SIMA 2026 Management Conference