HEC in the press

DW explains how declining U.S. support and heightened geopolitical risks are prompting EU states to boost defense spending and coordination. Germany has even amended its constitution to free up military budgets. Armin Steinbach, law professor at HEC Paris Business School, says this turn could become a catalyst for innovation, with firms in defense tech, intelligence, and pharma among the key beneficiaries.

In an op-ed for Harvard Business Review, professor at HEC Paris Business School John Mawdsley and his co-authors detail the resuls of their research suggesting that hiring superstars often hurts performance, especially when they disrupt existing teams. However, results improve when stars join already high-performing groups. Mawdsley suggests firms focus on nurturing internal talent instead of risky external hires

As conflict gets a bad rap in business, professor and Associate Dean of MBA Programs at HEC Paris Business School Brad Harris shows in an op-ed for Forbes how the right kind of tension can fuel team creativity—if managed with care.

In an article on the politics of wellbeing, The Observer reports that while the U.S. slides down the World Happiness Index amid Trump-led disruptions, the UK Treasury is pioneering the integration of wellbeing into public spending decisions. Some experts argue that declining happiness fuels populism, with data showing links between dissatisfaction and political extremism. HEC Paris professor Yann Algan, co-author of the World Happiness Report, supports the idea that trust and life satisfaction shape whether discontent turns right or left.

The Financial Times highlights Friedrich Merz’s success in passing a sweeping constitutional amendment just before parliament’s term ends. The plan lifts debt limits for defence and creates a €500bn infrastructure fund, securing broad but fragile support from across the political spectrum. While welcomed abroad, the move marks a sharp U-turn for Merz, who had opposed relaxing fiscal rules. HEC Paris professor Armin Steinbach notes that Merz must now claim political “trophies” in upcoming coalition talks to balance the SPD’s major policy win.

In a feature on the 2025 World Happiness Report, Tagesschau highlights Finland’s continued top ranking, crediting strong social trust and state support like baby boxes for new parents. This year’s focus on “caring and sharing” shows that collective living and shared meals boost wellbeing. HEC Paris professor Yann Algan, co-author of the report, argues that happiness and trust shape political choices—and warns that a lack of solidarity can lead to rising extremism.

In an article on new SEC rules under President Trump, Reuters reports that limits on shareholder resolutions and increased disclosure requirements are raising concerns among sustainable investors. While some U.S. firms are abandoning net-zero targets, global investment flows toward ESG remain stable. Jean-Michel Gauthier, professor at HEC Paris Business School and energy expert, argues that state-level policies in the U.S. and global market forces will likely maintain momentum for sustainable investment despite federal rollbacks.

In an article on the rise of online MBA alternatives, The Financial Times reports that platforms like Quantic, Abilitie, and Coursera are attracting students seeking flexible and affordable business education. While traditional MBAs remain valued, lower costs and tailored learning experiences are driving interest in these alternatives. Barbara Stöttinger, Dean of Executive Education at HEC Paris Business School, argues that an MBA signifies mastery of business administration, highlighting the importance of pedagogy and structured learning over self-directed online models.

Interviewed by Euronews, law professor at HEC PAris Business School Alberto Alemanno argues that the European Parliament's current ethics framework is failing to prevent corruption. The recent Huawei-related bribery investigation underscores the system’s flaws, which Alemanno attributes to self-policing and political conflicts of interest. Despite these scandals, he maintains that they reflect individual misconduct rather than institutional corruption within the EU.

CNN Portugal reports that the European Commission aims to standardize deportation rules amid rising influence of the far right. The plan has drawn criticism from NGOs and legal experts, with Alberto Alemanno, professor at HEC Paris Business School, warning that such centers could violate human rights and strengthen far-right narratives on migration.