The Sinergie–SIMA Management Conference 2026 comes to Pavia
On 28 and 29 May 2026, the University of Pavia will host the Sinergie–SIMA Management Conference 2026, one of the leading academic events in the field of management studies. The conference is organized by the Department of Economics and Management in collaboration with Sinergie and SIMA, and in partnership with the Department of Economics and Management of the University of Pavia – MUR Department of Excellence 2023–2027, ICSS Group, ATLAS SGR, and Binnova. The event will bring together scholars, researchers, and practitioners from universities and institutions in Italy and around the world, creating a space to engage with key challenges shaping contemporary management.
The theme of this year’s edition, “Transforming Management in the Era of Post-Globalization and Agentic Economy,” reflects the profound transformations currently reshaping economic and organizational contexts. In a world characterized by shifting geopolitical dynamics, the reconfiguration of global value chains, and the rise of advanced technologies, the conference invites participants to reflect on how management is evolving in response to these changes. In this context, post-globalization highlights the implications for strategies and organizational models, while the concept of an agentic economy draws attention to the growing role of artificial intelligence and distributed forms of agency in shaping decisions, roles, and organizational processes. At the same time, increasing emphasis is placed on the need to develop approaches that strengthen agility, resilience, and firms’ capacity for renewal. Alongside the conference theme, the SIMA Thematic Groups play a central role, each focusing on specific research areas and contributing to the structure of the parallel sessions and to the broader academic discussion.
A program combining research, dialogue, and community
Across the two conference days, the program combines parallel sessions, thematic panels, and moments of discussion involving the academic community.
The opening session will brings together two internationally recognized keynote speakers, Margherita Pagani and Peter J. Buckley. Margherita Pagani, Professor of AI for Business & Digital Marketing at SKEMA Business School, is widely recognized for her work on artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and value creation in emerging ecosystems. Peter J. Buckley, Professor of International Business at Alliance Manchester Business School, is a leading figure in International Business studies and has made significant contributions to the understanding of multinational enterprises and globalization.
In addition to the scientific sessions, the 2026 edition introduces the Research Center Exhibition, a dedicated space where research centers will showcase their activities, projects, and collaborations, with the aim of fostering connections between academia, industry, and institutions.
Pre-conference activities, scheduled for 27 May, will be primarily dedicated to early-career researchers and will include the Paper Development Workshop, offering an opportunity to discuss research projects with senior scholars at both national and international level.
Pavia as a meeting point for tradition and innovation
Hosting the conference in Pavia highlights the University’s role as a place where academic tradition and innovation come together.
Conference activities will take place across some of the city’s most representative venues, including the Teatro Fraschini, which will host the opening ceremony, the University’s Central Building, and the San Felice al Monastero Building, home to the Department of Economics and Management. This setting allows participants to experience the conference across both academic and cultural spaces, fostering a dynamic and engaging environment.
The Sinergie–SIMA Management Conference represents a key moment for the management research community, encouraging the sharing of research findings, the development of new collaborations, and reflection on the future of the discipline. The 2026 edition further strengthens the dialogue between academia, institutions, and the business world, reaffirming the role of the University of Pavia as a hub for knowledge creation and exchange.
More information is available on the official conference website: https://www.sijmsima.it/