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Corporate Involvement in Research Projects
The HEC Foundation provides financial support to around thirty projects to help develop research on the Campus. After an initial selection process by an academic committee, the professors present their projects before the Research Committee. The Committee's members all come from various companies, and they then decide which projects to back financially. Members share their views after the Research Committee's meeting of April, 10th.
‘There's greater interchange of ideas.'
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‘We can put forward alternative suggestions.'
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| André-Benoît de Jaegere, vice-president at Cap Gemini Consulting and member of the Research Committee. |
Véronique Defferriere (H.85), CCO Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking, and Research Committee member. |
 ‘Our Committee has two objectives: to develop the research carried out at HEC and improve the sharing of experience between the companies that finance the Foundation and the HEC faculty, ' explains André-Benoît de Jaegere. ‘To achieve the primary objective of doubling the
number of HEC publications in the finest scientific journals (known as "Alpha" journals),we've set up a system - managed by François Séguineau - whereby research is submitted to our Committee.' This initiative has been very successful: there's an increasing number of Alpha publications and there's greater interchange of ideas between the researchers and the Committee. There are also many more opportunities for people to meet: ‘In October, the professors will spend a morning presenting the work they're currently carrying out at the Foundation's partner companies. Occasions for sharing ideas like this need to take place more often and include everyone at HEC'. Furthermore, the Committee endeavours to meet the professors' specific needs as much as possible: ‘Some of them need to travel abroad regularly, while others need to be able to take time off their teaching, or help with buying a data base. We now have a better idea of how to make life better for each of them individually.'
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 What criteria do you apply to evaluate the projects?
Véronique Defferriere: The most important step is to determine the interest and impact that the research may have academically and in the corporate world.
In addition, this research may prompt the publication of numerous articles, and enable the professors to attend international conferences, which will enhance their reputation and that of the school.
Are there any projects that have particularly interested you?
V.D.: Yes, research into wage incentive schemes for directors, because this is a topical subject. The research conclusions are likely to influence the wage policies of major groups. Sandor Czellar's project is also interesting, because it could influence companies' marketing strategy.
Can the Committee's opinions reorientate the research work presented?
V.D.: The Committee members come from a wide range of professional backgrounds; this enables them to make alternative suggestions that the research professor may not have considered. In a study of profitability factors in services, we suggested extending the research to emerging economies, particularly India and China, because we felt their inclusion was vital.
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