EssilorLuxottica Professorship in Leadership

Massimo Magni is Associate Professor of Organization at Bocconi University and is currently Director of the MSc. in "International Management" and the "CEMS MIM". He is Head of the Knowledge Group "Leadership, Organization and Human Resources" and Scientific Director of the "Executive Course in Leadership" at SDA Bocconi School of Management. He was Director of the Organization and Human Resources Department and Member of the Board of Directors of the same School of Management.

His academic work and professional commitments are aimed at supporting leaders and business teams in dealing with environmental uncertainty, with a focus on developing impactful leadership behaviors that enable a collaborative, team-oriented culture (both in co-located and dispersed contexts). His research currently revolves around the impact of managerial behaviors that foster engagement and improve individual and organizational well-being.

Joint Purpose

The shared values, goals, and interests between Bocconi and the EssilorLuxottica Group are the basis of an important collaboration that has been initiated and developed over the years. This well-established partnership evolved further in 2019 with the creation of the Term Chair in Chinese Market & Business Development.

However, in light of the new global challenges that emerged after the Covid-19 pandemic, Bocconi and EssilorLuxottica joined forces to rethink their collaboration by changing its mission and characteristics, and shifting the focus of research activities to the thematic area of Leadership.

Thus, the EssilorLuxottica Professorship in Leadership, entrusted to Professor Massimo Magni, was established in 2022.

Core Activities

Research

The research agenda that Professor Massimo Magni and the Chair will pursue revolves around three main pillars concerning the role of leaders in addressing the challenges of the future, with a focus on hybrid contexts:

Changing Leadership: From managing employees to managing the employee experience in smart-working scenarios and hybrid worlds.
"Leading" complexity: Developing resilient organizations by valuing diversity, inclusion and learning.
Leadership. Not a style!: Leading with impact by enabling positive organizational microclimates.

Within the professorship, there will also be joint research activities on the key topic of leadership models.

Students

With regard to the involvement of the younger generations, the Professorship is an opportunity to generate innovative approaches and ideas, improve student engagement and meet talented and motivated candidates.

Considering the current scenario and the new focus of the chair, the EssilorLuxottica Annual Challenge will be integrated with the analysis of the impact of ESG factors, with a specific focus on the S-Social indicator.

Communication and dissemination

Over the years, the Chair’s activities will be enriched by the dissemination of Professor Magni’s research results thanks to his participation in seminars and conferences organized by the most prestigious academic and institutional organizations.