HEC in the press

Project Syndicate reflects upon production networks and the consequences of the disruptions they sometimes go through. As the Covid-19 pandemic has shown, supply-chain interferences can cause major economic issues worldwide. A study led by finance professor at HEC Paris Business School Jean-Noël Barrot confirms that suppliers affected by natural disasters impose large output losses on customers and affected firms’ sales growth.

While studies published in the past assured that smartphones impact creativity and social interactions negatively, a new scientific research led by Anne-Laure Sellier, professor at HEC Paris Business School, and Claire Linares, a doctoral graduate student, proves otherwise. They tell us why in a new article published in Forbes.

Sifted listed all the universities and schools where unicorn founders studied. This ranking reveals that four unicorns where created by HEC Paris Business schools alumnis, including Doctolib.

In the morning edition of Newsday on the BBC, economy professor at HEC Paris Business School Tomasz Michalski comments on the implementation of the health pass in France and its consequences on the leisure and tourism sectors.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy wonders if salary ranges should be disclosed in job advertisements in the nonprofit sector. While some argue that such a measure could discourage minorities to apply for these positions -as these communities usually have lower salaries- a study led by Tomasz Obloj, associate professor specialized in strategy and business policy at HEC Paris business school, suggests on the contrary that salary transparency tends to reduce pay gaps.

As the number of new coronavirus cases is rising again in France this summer, new measures might be announced by French President Emmanuel Macron on July 12th to deal with what could be a fourth wave of the pandemic. Tomasz Michalski, associate professor at HEC Paris Business School, told BBC World that he does not think there will be a lot of new restrictions, since the rate of severe cases and hospitalizations is satisfactory. However, he does believe that public sector workers may be forced to be vaccinated. Stronger border controls could be also be expected.

The Digital Natives are a key component of companies’ need for digitalization and future success. However, their strong interest and commitment towards environmental issues and social responsibility can make them harder to recruit within big corporations.

Although many companies have developed strategies to appear more sustainable and socially aware, affiliate professor at HEC Paris Business School Florian Hoos thinks these steps do not bring anything to the firms’ competitiveness. Instead, he advocates in an article for FAZ for a strategy which would completely incorporate sustainability within the companies’ business model and activities.

Although the Porter's competitive advantage and the Blue Ocean strategies are considered to be the foundation of business strategy, Veronique Nguyen and Alain Bloch, both professors at HEC Paris Business school, deem them obsolete. Instead, they developped the Bamboo strategy, which they explain for Forbes.

Reforming the pension system has been a goal of Emmanuel Macron's since his election, but the strong opposition to his reform as well as the Covid-19 pandemic put a halt to his original bill. He is however expected to present a new project in the coming days.

According to associate professor at HEC Paris Business School Tomasz Michalski, tackling this issue could enable Macron to "appear as someone who can solve important structural problems, appease an important part of his electorate on the right [...] (and) to undermine a potential rival from (the centre-right party) Les Republicains" in the wake of the new elections of 2022.

Michael Segalla, professor of management at HEC Paris, implies that companies need to change for their own longevity, writes Business Because. Although extreme working culture is deep-rooted, Michael thinks the new generation coming through can make a difference. “If a company isn’t constantly adapting its offer it isn’t going to be able to survive long term, so for the younger generation they’re going to have to do that,” he says.