03 Aprile – 17 Aprile 2025 • Marco Biagi Foundation
Cycle of seminars organised as part of the PhD Course in Labour, Development and Innovation, Unimore – Marco Biagi Foundation
Visiting professor: EVGENII ALEKSANDROV
Associate Professor,
Nord University Business School
Bodø, Norway
April 03, 2025 (Thursday) 10:00 -12:00; 13:00 – 15:00 – Room 32
SEMINAR 1 – Institutional theory and its contemporary streams: application to own research and examples from smart city and management research
In today’s academic landscape, there’s a growing recognition of the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in management research. One key area of focus is institutional theory, which offers valuable insights into how organizations and institutions operate and evolve. This seminar aims to enhance students’ understanding of institutional theory, particularly its contemporary streams. We will delve into foundational concepts, such as institutional logics, institutional entrepreneurship, and institutional work. Additionally, we’ll explore how these ideas can be applied to real-world research projects, with examples from the development of smart cities.
April 10, 2025 (Thursday) 10:00 -12:00; 13:00 – 15:00 – Room 32
SEMINAR 2 – Smart city management dynamics: role of metrics, politics, bureaucratization and citizens
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the adoption of smart initiatives by organizations and cities. These initiatives involve the use of advanced technologies and digitalization to enhance services and products. However, successfully implementing these initiatives requires specialized knowledge and skills in various areas, including assessment, management, and governance. One prominent example of such initiatives is the Smart City agenda, which aims to create sustainable and efficient urban environments. This seminar will explore the opportunities and challenges associated with smart initiatives, focusing not just on the technology itself, but on how it is managed. We will discuss why smart city initiatives alone are not a guaranteed solution for a sustainable future. Key topics will include the role of metrics, politics, bureaucratization, and citizen involvement. Based on the example of Arctic, we also cover how the context is important determinant to understand smart city initiatives.
April 17, 2025 (Thursday) 10:00 -12:00; 13:00 – 15:00 – Room 32
SEMINAR 3 – Analysing soft data
This seminar is tailored for students interested in the nuances of qualitative data analysis. Participants will engage with various forms of ‘soft’ data, including interview transcripts, observation notes, and visual materials. The session will cover essential strategies for coding and interpreting qualitative data, with a focus on methodologies such as the Gioia method. Through practical exercises and collaborative discussions, students will learn how to transform raw data into structured, meaningful insights. This hands-on approach aims to build confidence and proficiency in navigating the complexities of qualitative research.
NOTE
Each seminar will be organized in an interactive way, requiring the engagement and active participation of students. Interactive sessions will be included in each seminar.
After each seminar, there will be one time slot (in total 3 slots) during which students have the possibility to discuss the seminar topic with the professor. In addition, the professor will be available for ad-hoc individual meetings.
The cycle of seminars will be taught in English
Coordinator of the cycle of seminars
Sara Giovanna Mauro, Assistant Professor of Economic Policy,
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, “Marco Biagi” Department of Economics