PAPER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP (PDW)
Transforming Research into Publication: Building the Next Generation of SIMA Management Scholars
May 27th, 2026, 14:00–18:00
Department of Economics and Management, University of Pavia, Italy
Via San Felice al Monastero, 5, Pavia – Ground Floor
PDW Aims
The Paper Development Workshop (PDW) has been established to support early-career researchers in developing the competencies and scholarly insights necessary for conducting high-quality research and publishing in leading international journals.
The 2026 Sinergie-SIMA PDW specifically aims to assist young scholars in aligning their research with contemporary trends and emerging challenges across various areas of management studies. Participants will be encouraged to develop manuscripts that address a broad spectrum of management topics, including but not limited to international business, innovation, strategy, marketing, organizational change and identity, corporate governance, digitalization, sustainability.
The workshop further seeks to provide guidance on critical aspects of the publication process, such as identifying appropriate journals, managing manuscript revisions, and constructively responding to reviewers’ feedback. The workshop addresses the complexities of the peer review process. Through interactive sessions and individualized feedback, participants will gain practical insights into manuscript development, submission strategies, and revision techniques.
By providing constructive feedback and professional guidance, the PDW aims to support emerging scholars in navigating the publication process and contributing meaningfully to academic discourse in management studies.
Target Audience
The target audience of this PDW is young and mid-career scholars (Ph.D. students and candidates, Ph.D., research fellows, and assistant professors) who show robust interest in conceptual and empirical research in management.
Eligibility and Submission Requirements
Applicants are required to submit:
- A bio sketch (one page)
- The most recent version of the research paper (or extended abstract) to be discussed. Papers should be written in English
- A cover letter clearly stating the question(s) the author is struggling with (one page)
Authors are invited to indicate on the front page the paper’s target journal(s), and, in the case of R&R papers, the journal in which the paper is under consideration at the time of submission. In this latter case, authors may also submit the received reviews to foster constructive interaction with discussants and participants.
Participants will be selected based on the academic quality and impact of submissions. Preference will be given to full papers. Conceptual, qualitative, and quantitative research and literature reviews will be equally considered.
Keynote speeches and additional activities are open to all conference participants. The maximum number of participants whose papers are selected for PDW sessions is 15 to ensure interaction and in-depth discussion.
PDW Format 2026
14.00 – Welcome (Room FL)
Giovanna Magnani, University of Pavia
14.10 – Round Table
“Building research that matters in an era of transformation: Editorial insights for management scholarship”
Moderators
Giovanna Magnani and Birgit Hagen, University of Pavia
Keynote Speakers
Luigi De Luca, Cardiff University, Editor in Chief, Journal of Product Innovation
Davide Ravasi, UCL School of Management, previously Associate editor of the Academy of Management Journal and of the Journal of Management Studies
Roger Strange, University of Sussex, Editor in Chief, International Business Review
15.45 – Coffee Break
16.00 – Parallel Sessions
Selected papers will be allocated to specific sessions for in-depth discussion. Each session will host 5 papers. Authors will present an overview of their paper (10 minutes), followed by developmental feedback from the assigned discussant (15 minutes) and Q&A.
Session 1 – International Business, International Entrepreneurship & Marketing
Discussants: Roger Strange (University of Sussex), Barbara Francioni (University of Urbino)
Session 2 – Organizational Identity and Culture, Strategy
Discussants: Davide Ravasi (UCL School of Management), Anna Minà (LUMSA University, Palermo Campus)
Session 3 – Innovation, Digital Transformation, Marketing Strategy, Sustainability
Discussants: Luigi De Luca (Cardiff University), Eleonora di Maria (University of Padova)
18.00 – Closing Remarks (Room FL)
Giovanna Magnani and Birgit Hagen, University of Pavia
Additional Activities – Pre-conference Social Activities (SIMA NextGen)
18.15 – “Nurturing the Future of Management Research” (Room FL)
Angeloantonio Russo, Angeloantonio Russo, LUM University
Alessandro Zattoni, LUISS University, President, EURAM
19.00 – Social Activities
Pavia City Centre Tour by SIMA Next Generation and UNIPV Team (upon registration)
Organized by Federica Sacco, University of Pavia
20.30 – Social Dinner and Networking
Upon registration (maximum 50 participants)
To Participate in the PDW
Paper submissions must be made via the conference platform by selecting “PDW UNIPV 2026”. Each applicant may submit only one paper.
PDW Deadlines 2026
- 10 March 2026 – Submission deadline for proposals
- 1 April 2026 – Notification of review committee decisions
- 15 April 2026 – Final paper submission and early bird registration deadline
- 27 May 2026 – PDW
PDW Organizing Committee
Giovanna Magnani
Birgit Hagen
Federica Sacco
University of Pavia