European Study Research Trip: Milan
ESR Spring Milan: Join us for an unforgettable week of business, culture, and nightlife!
This year's destination for ESR Spring will be Milan! From the 10th until the 18th of May, a group of 25 students, 2 professors, and 6 committee members will embark on a journey to the dynamic and stylish city of Milan to conduct research. The trip will be a mix of cultural experiences, company visits to support our research, and opportunities to enjoy the city’s vibrant nightlife.
European Study Research is a unique experience for students, offering the chance to enhance your university journey, expand your network, develop international skills, meet new people, and create unforgettable memories. All of this in one of the most exciting cities in Europe!
Milan, Italy’s financial and fashion capital, is a global hub of innovation, business, and culture. Home to multinational corporations, pioneering startups, and a rich historical heritage, the city provides the perfect backdrop for this year’s research theme: “Milan’s Adaptation to the Evolving Global Business Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities.”Students will be divided into teams of five, each focusing on a specific sub-theme of the research. More details on the sub-themes can be found under the theme tab.
Your ESR experience begins with an opening dinner, followed by seven weeks of lectures, networking dinners, and social events every Monday night. Each session will feature different topics, guest speakers, and perspectives.
After returning from Milan, there will be two additional weeks of lectures to finalize the research before concluding with a final dinner.
The total cost of joining the trip is €250, which includes transportation, accommodation, and various activities throughout the stay.
ESR is an opportunity not to be missed! If you want to be part of this incredible international experience, click the register button. Applications open on February 10th and close on February 23rd at 23:59. Make sure to submit your CV and motivation letter to the email below as well before the deadline.
Applications are open to bachelor students of the FEB with at least 45 ECTS and (pre-)master students.
For any further questions, feel free to contact us at esrspring@ebfgroningen.nl.
ESR TIMELINE
Application deadline
Sunday the 23th of February, 23:59
Interviews and selection
Monday the 24th of February until Friday the 7th of March
Introduction dinner
Monday the 10th of March
Weekly lectures, dinners and socials (7 times)
Every Monday at 18:00 from the 17th of March until the 7th of May (last one on a Wednesday)
Theme party
Monday the 28th of April
Research trip to Milan
Saturday the 10th of May until Sunday the 18th of May
Lecture, dinner and social after the trip (Closing dinner)
Monday the 27th of May
ESR Spring workload
In the 7 weeks prior to the trip there will be a lecture (6-8pm), dinner (8-10pm) and a social (10pm onwards) every Monday which you will be expected to attend. In the lectures we will discuss how to conduct research, there will be presentations by the various subgroups and several workshops. The dinners and socials are a great way to get to know everyone. Next to these activities you are expected to actually prepare your specific research together with your subgroup, which will mostly be done during the preparatory phase of the trip. In total, ESR will cost you about 6-10 hours per week.
ESR Spring research
Main research theme: The role of Innovation in Milan’s evolving business landscape: challenges and opportunities
Milan is a powerhouse of innovation, business, and culture. With a metropolitan population of around 8 million, it is Italy’s main economic hub, generating one-fifth of the country’s GDP. As the capital of the Lombardy region, the wealthiest and most populous in Italy, Milan has solidified itself as a global center for finance, commerce, fashion, and technology. Home to Italy’s main stock exchange and several prestigious universities, including Bocconi University and Politecnico di Milano, the city is at the forefront of business education, research, and development.
Positioned strategically in Europe, Milan serves as a crucial gateway between Italy and international markets. The city’s extensive transport infrastructure, including three international airports and major rail and road corridors, further strengthens its role as a logistics and distribution hub. Additionally, Milan’s industrial base extends far beyond traditional sectors like fashion and design. It is a leader in manufacturing, finance, media, and emerging technologies. Over 50% of Italy’s exports originate from Milan, emphasizing its significance in both European and global trade.
Milan’s economic success is largely driven by its ability to adapt to changing global trends. The city continuously evolves to embrace digital transformation, sustainability, and artificial intelligence while maintaining its reputation as a center for entrepreneurship and corporate responsibility. The rise of startups and innovation hubs, backed by institutions like Politecnico di Milano, has created a dynamic ecosystem that fosters creativity and economic growth. At the same time, Milan faces challenges such as globalization pressures, regulatory changes, and the need for sustainable business practices. Understanding how Milan can navigate these challenges and capitalize on opportunities is essential for companies, institutions, and policymakers.
As a participant of ESR, you will be divided into five subgroups to conduct research on the theme “The role of Innovation in Milan’s evolving business landscape: challenges and opportunities.” In these subgroups, you will receive a separate subtheme and investigate research questions specific to your subject. Every sub-theme is linked to the main research theme. During the lectures and the preparations, you will also get the chance to acquire the necessary skills to conduct business research and come up with a theoretical framework and conceptual model. Together with your subgroup, you will discuss your findings during the lectures and get the chance to receive feedback from the committee and the professors.
The final product will be a research paper, including advice from every group to the companies and organizations we will visit in Milan. All companies and organizations will receive your report. With the main research theme in mind, we have established five sub-themes by which we want to investigate our main research theme more thoroughly. These five sub-themes are Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence, Corporate Social Responsibility, Globalization, and Digital Transformation.
Subthemes
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
This subgroup's primary focus lies in researching how companies in Milan maintain their competitive edge through innovation and Entrepreneurship. Innovation propels companies forward; as the Dutch saying goes, "stillstand is achteruitgang" - standing still is moving backward. It ensures that companies stay ahead in the market, adapting to changes and uncertainty. Essentially, innovation is the cornerstone of achieving and sustaining leadership in the global market. A related theme is entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship has a significant role in economic development. After all, entrepreneurs have an impact on the economy by generating new jobs and opportunities, goods, and services, as well as by establishing innovative businesses and increasing their own wealth.
Thanks to its great variety of incubators, accelerators and innovation hubs, like Milan Innovation District (MID), Milan is becoming one of the main innovation hubs in Europe. It provides the perfect environment for startups and early technology adoption. Furthermore, Milan's position as the 27th in the Global 500 City Rankings Results of Innovation Cities Index 2022-2023 underscores its dedication to innovation.
Artificial Intelligence
In recent years, AI has become a critical component of business strategy, automation, and decision-making processes across industries. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) landscape in Italy is transforming rapidly, marking record growth while facing new challenges as well. Last year, the AI market in Italy has already grown 52 percent to 760 million euros. This surge reflects a growing recognition of AI's potential to enhance productivity, optimize operations, and create new business models.
Milan, as Italy’s financial and innovation capital, is at the forefront of this transformation. The city’s ecosystem fosters AI adoption through a combination of cutting-edge research institutions, AI-driven startups, and corporate innovation hubs. Universities such as Politecnico di Milano play a crucial role in AI research and talent development, ensuring that companies have access to skilled professionals. Furthermore, initiatives like the Milan Innovation District (MID) and the Leonardo Labs are pushing the boundaries of AI applications in various sectors, including finance, healthcare, fashion, and manufacturing. Challenges to be discovered include balancing technological advancement with ethical considerations and regulatory compliance. As Milan cements its reputation as a leading innovation hub in Europe, its ability to harness AI effectively will be a defining factor in its economic and business success.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a self-regulating business model that enables a corporation to be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, and the public.
Businesses that engage in corporate social responsibility are conscious of their effects on the social, economic, and environmental facets of society. By practicing corporate social responsibility (CSR), a business operates in ways that enhance society and the environment rather than contributing negatively to them. CSR has been gaining a lot of traction over the years and it's becoming increasingly important. You can dive into how companies are trying to be more sustainable, the challenges they face, and the benefits or opportunities that come their way. This is quite a broad theme, which means that there are a lot of topics to research. It is up to you and your group!
Globalization
Globalization describes the growing interdependence of the world's economies, cultures, and populations, brought about by cross-border trade in goods and services, technology, and flows of investment, people, and information. Globalization has significantly reshaped Milan’s business landscape, positioning the city as a key player in the international market.
One of the most notable benefits of globalization is Milan’s enhanced access to international markets. Companies in the city can expand their operations beyond national borders, reaching a global customer base and attracting foreign investments. Milan’s strong presence in industries such as fashion, design, finance, and manufacturing has been further reinforced by its global reputation, making it an attractive destination for multinational corporations and startups alike. However, globalization also presents challenges that businesses in Milan must navigate. Increased competition from international firms requires companies to continuously innovate and differentiate themselves. Recently, deglobalization is also an upcoming theme. All in all, the increasing interconnectedness of economies has brought both opportunities and challenges for businesses operating in a city like Milan. It is therefore interesting to delve into the considerations of businesses in Milan regarding this theme.
Digital Transformation
In the ever-evolving digital age, marked by the emergence of new players like TikTok and Meta, companies in Milan must adapt to the changing dynamic environment. Not only in Milan but in the entire world. Digital business, in the broadest sense of the word, is the process of using digital technologies to reshape and improve how businesses operate, innovate, and interact with customers. The utilization of data and digital tools has become crucial for corporations, providing valuable insights into their business landscape and enhancing their products and services. Although this can pose challenges, their use often proves their worth. For example, during COVID-19, when the pandemic broke out, companies had no choice but to focus on digital business. The use of Zoom or Skype is an excellent example of the impact digitalization can have on companies. Thanks to government efforts, technological breakthroughs, and improved internet adoption and increased broadband connectivity, Italy's digital economy has expanded dramatically in recent years. Moreover, the Italian government is fostering the digitalization process.
