In the early 90s, regional economic systems began to be modified by the market globalisation process. In addition to this, the surge in opportunities provided by recently industrialised countries (particularly China and India) has reconfigured the international division of labour by means of a process of production activity redistribution. This phenomenon affects not only large multinational companies, but also small firms, which are conducting more business in these new markets. The internationalisation of economic activity is now entering another phase that will lead to an “international realignment of expertise”.

Three phenomena are clearly emerging: first, the wealth generated in the emerging markets has stimulated internal demand to the extent that these new markets are becoming real consumers and drivers to world growth; second, dominant economic activities are no longer marked by the feature of bilateralism between an industrialised country and a developing country, and in the hunt for global opportunities are taking on more complex forms; third, businesses in emerging markets have often accumulated the capital required in order to become global players, ready to invest in new innovative activities. The competitive challenge is therefore global.

The opportunities related to this challenge should be seized, implementing strategies based on modern innovative processes marked by features of multidimensionality, interdisciplinarity, interdependence, multiplicity of knowledge, expertise, effects, and financial, social, environmental and territorial costs and benefits.

The approach to this change is therefore systematic. Business models are increasingly marked by network logical systems, by interactivity and integration of resources and production processes, by the extension of the cognitive work, by an increased level of organisational complexity, by the constantly unpredictable and unstable nature of the markets, increasingly globalised, and by an ever greater demand for maximum flexibility and efficiency.

This configuration of factors identifying new business models has important implications in terms of the strategic management of information and of relational, intellectual and technological capital, and, by reflection, on the management of creativity and innovation, making a significant impact on the processes of economic growth and development, which is required in order to become increasingly more sustainable and socially responsible.

This research axis aims to:

• describe, measure, understand and interpret the transformations in the process of increasing internationalisation, with specific reference to strong growth sectors and to the opportunities for research and development;
• describe, measure, understand and interpret the transformations in current business models (production, private and/or public services, profit and non profit), and, in particular, the nature, the dimensions and the interrelations between the factors causing these transformations, such as: intellectual, human and entrepreneurial capital, information, relational and technical capital and the new forms of organisation-management, applying the recent developments of Open Innovation Networked Systems, in a multidisciplinary and multi-scalar perspective (from the local level to applications in international markets);
• describe, measure, understand and interpret the implications and the effects of these transformations on individuals, society, businesses, organisations and the environment (workplace, quality of life, sustainability, various forms of innovation, system and company performance, socio-economic impact and territorial competitiveness);
• study international market trends, with the opportunity to participate in research and development projects, with an inter- and multi-disciplinary perspective;
• identify guiding sectors around which to structure research and development work in cooperation with businesses, organisations and institutions;
• transfer and apply the SUPSI knowledge developed on these issues to economic and institutional figures operating in the local territory.

Research axis Leader

Andrea Huber

Working group

Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care
Alberto Gandolfi
Spartaco Greppi
Fabio Losa
Alessandro Siviero

Department of Innovative Technologies
Luca Canetta
Paolo Pedrazzoli
Pamela Principi

University Directorship SUPSI
Jamal El Chaar

Fernfachhochschule Schweiz
Hagen Worch