Cohort: ESOL 39

Topic of the thesis: Scaling for Sustainable Growth: Unveiling the Path to Global Change

Abstract: The concept of scaling has gained significant attention in academic discourse, because despite being fewer in number, these scaling enterprises outperform their counterparts. Scaling, often synonymous with high growth, is traditionally linked to financial success, overlooking social and environmental sustainability dimensions.
The first aim of the present research is to find, 'the right combination' between being a for-profit organization and pursuing sustainable objectives. Furthermore, in a world where challenges are increasingly becoming global, it is appropriate to address and look on an international scale. Sustainable organizations are described as having difficulties when scaling markets. Indeed, many companies incorporate sustainable characteristics, but relatively few of them scale into new contexts, making scale-up one of the most important but least understood outcomes.
Organizations need to find a balance between their company goals (e.g., profit, expansion in new markets) and taking care of the environment (e.g., reducing carbon emissions), optimizing resource allocation (i.e., minimizing waste and inefficiencies) and from a socio-cultural perspective companies need to recognize that their actions and decisions can significantly influence society's well-being and should thus actively contribute to the community's welfare. Organizational studies have highlighted the importance of fostering a corporate culture that values sustainability, ethical practices, and social responsibility that can drive long-term success and stakeholder trust.The research will contribute to the paradox theory highlighting an inversion of perspectives between Penrosean view of growth and scaling. In the first, organizations undergo a process that demands the expansion of resources across various dimensions (e.g., human resources and capital) as they grow. Scaling is characterized by a resource-conserving strategy, where organizations seek to maximize output and impact while minimizing resource inputs.
In addition, as far as institutional logics are involved, the study may show that "sustainable enterprises" are able to manage conflicting logics (e.g., profit vs. sustainability) and/or change them at the societal or 'field' level.

Research interests: Scale-ups and scaling; International Entrepreneurship and Business; Agile Transformation; Social Organization and Social Impact

Graduated from: University of Pisa (BA); University of Pavia (MA) Double degree - HEC Liège Belgium (MA)

Degrees obtained: Business Administration (BA); International Business and Entrepreneurship (MA); International Strategic Marketing (MA)

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