THEMATIC TRACKS AND TOPICS
Tertiarization & sustainability new challenges for management in the digital era
Tertiarization is one of the most salient profiles of the structural change and economic development that have characterized the recent decades (Jorgenson & Timmer, 2011). The growth of the service industry affects multiple sectors, e.g. wholesaling/retailing, tourism/hospitality, transport and logistics, health services, public administration, education, communication, banking and financial services, and B2B services (Baines et al., 2017; Barrett et al., 2015).
Drawing inspiration from this evolving debate, the 2025 Sinergie-SIMA Conference will focus on the role of services in the economy and society, with particular attention to digitalization as a driver of innovation and business model transformation. Digitalization enhances services even in traditional sectors and boosts knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS), while transforming firms’ operations and enabling new automation frontiers and global value-creation mechanisms (Frank et al., 2019; Kastalli & Van Looy, 2013).
Digital technologies (e.g., Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Internet of Things, Machine Learning, and Virtual and Augmented Reality) improve systemic efficiency and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the circular economy (Xing & Liu, 2023). These technologies enable extracting valuable information, facilitating informed decision-making, personalized services, process optimization, and enhanced customer experiences (Chauhan et al., 2022).
Big data plays a strategic role in developing innovative solutions to address ever-changing societal challenges, driving sustainable growth and innovative outcomes (Ciampi et al., 2021; Mikalef et al., 2019). One prominent challenge is to leverage digitalization to enhance service-oriented approaches and build trust and loyalty among stakeholders for a more sustainable and inclusive society (Shaukat et al., 2016).
Twenty-five years after the AIDEA conference on tertiarizaion and new challenges for management and governance was held in Genoa, the 2025 Sinergie-SIMA Genoa Conference will offer a new opportunity to discuss the research community's efforts in the service economy. The Conference invites contributions grounded in various theories and methodological approaches, with the aim to generate impactful scientific research and inspire effective practical strategies, providing valuable insights to business leaders and institutions.
References:
AA. VV. (2001), Processi di terziarizzazione nell’economia e nuove sfide al governo delle aziende, Proceedings XXIII Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale Conference, Genova 26-27 October 2000, McGraw-Hill, Milano.
Barrett, M., Davidson, E., Prabhu, J., & Vargo, S. L. (2015). Service innovation in the digital age. MIS Quarterly, 39(1), 135-154.
Chauhan, C., Parida, V., & Dhir, A. (2022). Linking circular economy and digitalisation technologies: A systematic literature review of past achievements and future promises. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 177, 121508.
Ciampi, F., Demi, S., Magrini, A., Marzi, G., & Papa, A. (2021). Exploring the impact of big data analytics capabilities on business model innovation: the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation. Journal of Business Research, 123, 1-13.
Frank, A. G., Mendes, G. H., Ayala, N. F., & Ghezzi, A. (2019). Servitization and Industry 4.0 convergence in the digital transformation of product firms: A business model innovation perspective. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 141, 341-351.
Kastalli, I. V., & Van Looy, B. (2013). Servitization: Disentangling the impact of service business model innovation on manufacturing firm performance. Journal of Operations Management, 31(4), 169-180.
Mikalef, P., Boura, M., Lekakos, G., & Krogstie, J. (2019). Big data analytics capabilities and innovation: the mediating role of dynamic capabilities and moderating effect of the environment. British Journal of Management, 30(2), 272-298.
Shaukat, A., Qiu, Y., & Trojanowski, G. (2016). Board attributes, corporate social responsibility strategy, and corporate environmental and social performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 135, 569-585.
Xing, Y., & Liu, Y. (2023). Integrating product-service innovation into green supply chain management from a life cycle perspective: A systematic review and future research directions. Technovation, 126, 102825.
Innovation & Technology Management
Intelligenza artificiale nel management
International Business
Marketing
Purpose-driven Businesses
Retailing & Service Management
Small & Family Business
Strategic Communication
Strategy & Governance
Supply Chain Management, Logistics & Operations
Sustainability
Tourism & Culture Management