Economics, Management and Methods for the Sustainable Transition

The PhD Programme in “Economics, Management and Methods for the Sustainable Transition” (ECMAN) aims to train researchers capable of addressing both theoretical and practical challenges associated with sustainable transition processes, in both the private and public sectors.

The training is geared towards the development of advanced competences in economics, management, and research methodologies, with particular attention to sustainability, innovation, and digitalisation.

Students will acquire the ability to independently design and carry out research activities of high scientific rigour, supported by interdisciplinary methodological skills and the capacity to critically analyse complex economic phenomena.

The structure of the programme ensures a balanced combination of teaching, theoretical research, and practical application, through advanced courses in economics, management, quantitative methods, and sustainability policies, complemented by seminars, workshops, and national and international conferences. This holistic approach enables the development of profiles with a strong analytical and methodological foundation, able to address complex decision-making processes based on empirical evidence, in environments increasingly characterised by the availability and diversity of data.

The integration of economic-managerial expertise and analytical capabilities constitutes a distinctive feature of the programme and a competitive advantage for PhD candidates.

Finally, the programme aims to train researchers who are aware of the ethical, environmental, and social implications of economic activity, in line with the principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The research areas of the PhD programme reflect its interdisciplinary orientation and are closely aligned with the scientific activities of the Department and its affiliated research centres. Key topics of interest include: economics and management of innovation, ecological and digital transition, sustainability policies, public economics and impact evaluation, sustainable entrepreneurship and new business models, organisational change management, performance measurement, human capital economics, and health economics.

The research methodologies adopted encompass advanced quantitative tools (such as statistics, econometrics, and data analysis), qualitative methods (including content analysis, interviews, and case studies), as well as mixed-method approaches.

The academic board actively supports the development of research projects that explore the intersections between technological, environmental, and regulatory transformations, including through applied studies in corporate and institutional settings.

The training programme of the ECMAN PhD is structured over a three-year period and combines a well-balanced mix of coursework and research activities. The first year is dedicated to acquiring the theoretical and methodological foundations necessary to structure the doctoral research project.

Specifically, students undertake training in economic research methodologies, qualitative analysis, mathematical methods for economics, statistics, and econometrics, amounting to a total of 20 ECTS credits. In addition, at least 20 ECTS credits are devoted to transversal skills, delivered both through the IUSS and via thematic seminar cycles organised by the Academic Board, often tailored to the individual research trajectories of the doctoral candidates.

From the second year onwards, the training path becomes increasingly individualised and research-oriented. Scientific work is supported by academic supervisors and, where appropriate, by external co-supervisors from public or private institutions, at national or international level.

This second year is also the phase in which international mobility is strongly encouraged, both to acquire specialised competencies and to build collaborative networks conducive to the advancement of the thesis.

The third year is primarily devoted to the writing of the doctoral dissertation. During this phase, candidates consolidate the objectives of their research, integrate analytical findings with the relevant scientific literature, and systematise the theoretical and practical implications of their work

The ECMAN PhD programme actively promotes internationalisation through cooperation agreements with foreign universities and research centres, and by encouraging periods of study and research abroad. Such experiences enable doctoral candidates to access international academic networks, enhance their methodological competences, and engage with global research communities.

In particular, the programme strongly encourages visiting periods at international research institutions, with the aim of deepening advanced research techniques and fostering scientific development within centres of academic excellence.

The programme is also characterised by close integration with the socio-economic environment, through collaboration with businesses, public administrations, and local stakeholders. This engagement translates into concrete opportunities for applied research projects, co-supervision of doctoral theses, and knowledge transfer activities.