Books in the Future of Business and Finance series

This book collects a series of contributions by a group of Bocconi University researchers under the Antin IP Associate Professorship in Infrastructure Finance, which cover the key megatrends that are expected to reshape the way we think about infrastructure, and the implications for infrastructure investors and asset managers.

In recent years, digital business models have frequently been the subject of academic and practical discourse. The increasing interconnectivity across the entire supply chain, which is subsumed under the term Industry 4.0, can unlock even farther-reaching potentials for digital business models, affecting entire supply chains and ecosystems.

He argues that performativity is the flip side of quality on a coin called identity, and in postmodernism, that is, in the age of Industry 4.0 and beyond, companies should be aiming for performativity and achieve quality as one of its many consequences.

This book shows an innovative way for managers to gain a better understanding of emotions in teams and organizational units and thus positively influence agile development in the context of digital transformation of companies. Digitalization does not just lead to technical changes. It dramatically changes the way employees work with each other as well as how executives play their roles. In an agile working environment, middle management in particular loses power, influence, and relevance, and customer relationships are subject to greater affectivity. The result is an increased emotionalization of the actors, which should be recognized and understood prior to designing the emotional landscape of the organization and to developing and implementing successful business models. The author introduces various conventional and AI-based instruments based on current research for handling emotions, supported by practical concepts.

This book provides well-founded insights and guidance to (self-)manage work in a globalized and digitalized knowledge economy with a perspective of the year 2030.

This book presents trends, developments, and examples of how digital disruption is currently reshaping the logistics industry. Logistics is the invisible force behind the global economy, influencing and providing a lens into all economic activities. Chapters written by respected experts in the field describe how new technologies such as autonomous vehicles, blockchain, Internet of things (IoT), and state-of-the-art freight management solutions are fundamentally changing supply chain solutions. Special emphasis is placed on promising start-ups and venture capital firms around the world that are now investing in the future of logistics."Supply chains hold significant room for optimization to the benefit of customers, industry participants, authorities and the environment. This book provides a unique set of perspectives from industry leaders covering a wide range of topics. It is a ¿must read¿ for anyone seeking to understand and contribute to a better tomorrow in supply chains logistics." ¿ Thomas Bagge, Chief Executive Officer and Statutory Director DCSA¿The need for standardisation and digitalisation in logistics is no longer an option. This book gives insights from industry experts, shows trends and innovations in platforms, underlines the need for transparency and how big data and analytics can make a world of difference. It¿s an incredible resource if you wish to better understand the new normal of logistics.¿ ¿ Global Chief Digital & Information Officer, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company"This book presents readers with a straightforward and comprehensive assessment of supply chain innovation and trends and their impact on the industry. With contributions from several industry leaders, it provides critical knowledge and insight that supply chain and logistics managers need to implement disruptive technologies strategically.¿ ¿ Rene Jacquat, Founder / Advisor, LogiChain Solutions

Finally, the book concludes with an examination of decentralized finance (DeFi), as an idea that is changing the financial world, giving rise to new financial paradigms.

Cybersecurity, data privacy law, and the related legal implications overlap into a relevant and developing area in the legal field. However, many legal practitioners lack the foundational understanding of computer processes which are fundamental for applying existing and developing legal structures to the issue of cybersecurity and data privacy.

This book places a central question: why are some regions in the world more successful in innovation than others? The audience will also learn to assess the resources and elements of regional innovation systems and to compare and contrast structures and processes in innovation management in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

This book analyzes the fundamental issues faced when blockchain technology is applied to real-life applications. Also explained is the reason why blockchain is hard to adopt for real-life problems but is valuable as a foundation for flexible ecosystems.

This book introduces the reader to the latest innovations in fields such as artificial intelligence, systems biology or surgery, and gives advice on what new technologies to consider for becoming a market leader of tomorrow.

Fierce competition, globalisation and the permanent liberalisation of markets have changed the face of supply chains and operations drastically.

Blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to transform how the accounting and financial services industries engage with the business, stakeholder and consumer communities.

¿Why are we so important?¿; ¿What value do we add?¿; and ¿What good do we create?¿ These are the opening questions posed to management educators in this book. This is followed by uncomfortable questions about colonization (Who is in the centre and whose knowledge counts?) and inequality (Whom do we exclude?). After questioning the easy adoption of technology (What are we embracing?) and the challenge posed by global warming (Can management education help stop climate change?), the author ends by sketching some leadership lessons required for the future: ¿What lessons can we learn in a black swan event?¿Mixing philosophical analyses with anecdotes from experience, the author does not shy away from discussing controversial views to give direction to current debates. Tracing eight such crucial questions and providing well-researched perspectives, this book is an engaging read for anyone interested in the future direction of business schools in particular and management education in general.¿There are many books and articles on business education, but few as deep and insightful as Contemporary Management Education. I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone who seeks to understand and improve the training of business leaders.¿Peter Tufano, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford¿An amazing read. Piet Naude is eclectic and sparkling. He applies his talents to the wicked maze of management education in society. No issue is more important for global business. No writer is better qualified.¿Thomas Donaldson, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania¿A powerful, persuasive, and superbly compelling book. Contemporary Management Education serves as an invaluable and informative reference to the essential issues that are shaping the future.¿Sherif Kamel, Dean, School of Business, The American University in Cairo

This book, written by an interdisciplinary team of authors, explores the transformation of organizations in today's volatile, uncertain, and ambiguous (VUCA) world.

Collaborating in virtual teams is a new reality in modern project management and work environments. Its emergence calls for an extensive analysis and re-alignment on the part of organizations, so as to help virtual teams maintain 'strategic momentum' - a concept that this book introduces.

Drawing upon research and practitioner narratives from management, leadership, organizational studies, entrepreneurship and sustainable business domains, this book explores the many pathways that enable emerging countries to transform knowledge into action to achieve economic and sustainable development.

This book demonstrates how companies can effectively promote their business by assuming political responsibility and expanding their investment concept to include a political component.

This book explores how the business transformation taking place in Japan is influenced by the digital revolution. Its chapters present approaches and examples from sectors commonly understood to be visible arenas of digital transformation-3D printing and mobility, for instance-as well as some from not-so-obvious sectors, such as retail, services, and fintech.Business today is facing unprecedented change especially due to the adoption of new, digital technologies, with a noticeable transformation of manufacturing and services. The changes have been brought by advanced robotics, the emergence of artificial intelligence, and digital networks that are growing in size and capability as the number of connected devices explodes. In addition, there are advanced manufacturing and collaborative connected platforms, including machine-to-machine communications. Adoption of digital technology has caused process disruptions in both the manufacturing and services sectors and led to new business models and new products. While examining the preparedness of the Japanese economy to embrace these changes, the book explores the impact of digitally influenced changes on some selected sectors from a Japanese perspective. It paints a big picture in explaining how a previously manufacturing-centric, successful economy adopts change to retain and rebuild success in the global environment. Japan as a whole is embracing, yet also avoiding-innovating but also restricting-various forms of digitalization of life and work. The book, with its 17 chapters, is a collaborative effort of individuals contributing diverse points of view as technologists, academics, and managers.

This book collects a series of contributions by a group of Bocconi University researchers under the Antin IP Associate Professorship in Infrastructure Finance, which cover the key megatrends that are expected to reshape the way we think about infrastructure, and the implications for infrastructure investors and asset managers.