The Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG) and SDA Bocconi School of Management jointly launched the inaugural edition of their executive training programme, “Global Risk Management: Geopolitical and Regulatory Risks in a Politicised Global Economy.” The course took place at SDA Bocconi’s new Rome campus from 9 to 12 September 2024.
This initiative marks a new phase in the collaboration between the European University Institute (EUI) and Bocconi University, building on a partnership established in 2021. The two institutions have strengthened their ties in the social sciences and humanities through joint educational programmes and research activities. The “Global Risk Management” is the first offering under this expanded collaboration, specifically designed to address the needs of executive leaders.
Offered by the Florence School of Transnational Governance of the EUI and SDA Bocconi School of Management, it was led by Tommaso Nannicini, EUI Full-time Professor of Political Economy, and Carlo Altomonte, Associate Dean for Stakeholder Engagement Programs and Director of the PNRR Lab at SDA Bocconi.
Course overview
The programme aimed to equip leaders of national and international organisations with the skills to manage geopolitical and regulatory risks, adapting business strategies to global challenges and a rapidly evolving context. The course featured a blend of theoretical instruction and hands-on learning through case studies, interactive workshops, and direct engagement with leading academics and business experts.
Prof. Nannicini emphasised the value of this cross-institutional collaboration: “The collaboration between the Florence School of Transnational Governance and SDA Bocconi School of Management is key to give professionals the right blend of theoretical and practical analysis to make geopolitical discussion relevant in corporate strategies.”
Over the course of four days, participants from diverse sectors and institutions—such as Poste Italiane, the European Stability Mechanism, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), and Grundfos—engaged in discussions on the implications of political and regulatory risks, global policymaking, and emerging political trends, while exploring advanced strategies to navigate these dynamics.
Expert contributions
Notable contributions were made by EUI faculty members, including George Papakonstantinou and Fabrizio Tassinari, Acting Director and Executive Director of the Florence STG, respectively, and Kristin Fabbe, Chair in Business and Comparative Politics, who offered an analysis of the risks and opportunities for companies in the Middle East, drawing on personal experiences and unique stories.
Additional insights were offered by Erik Jones, Director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, alongside Visiting Fellow Valbona Zeneli who explored China’s geopolitical strategies and their implications for global businesses. These sessions were further enriched by distinguished scholars and experts, including Nouriel Roubini, Professor Emeritus at New York University’s Stern School of Business, Sylvie Goulard, Professor of Practice of Global Affairs and Geopolitics at SDA Bocconi, and Carlo Ferraresi, Chief Risk Officer at Generali Group.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants gained a deeper understanding of the critical role political factors play in shaping effective business strategies. In today’s globalised economy, no corporate strategy can afford to ignore the impact of political risks on long-term success and resilience.
In the words of Carlo Altomonte: “Navigating global risks requires foresight and adaptability embedded in a company's strategy. Organisations must diversify supply chains, prepare for inflation, and embrace strategic security."
The course underscored the vital role of political risk management in today’s globalised economy, while highlighting the EUI’s dedication to fostering meaningful collaboration between academia and the business sector. Through this initiative, the programme demonstrated how academic knowledge can be harnessed to solve real-world corporate challenges in a complex geopolitical environment.
To learn more about our initiatives in the context of executive education, visit our website.