HEC in the press

The Financial Times underlines that business schools seem to be doubling down on DEI and sustainability, despite political backlash in the U.S. Barbara Stöttinger, Dean of Executive Education at HEC Paris Business School, stresses that complying with these standards is “not optional” and frames them as business imperatives, not ideological choices.

Politico examines how the EU’s systemic opacity and weak enforcement allow fraud, nepotism and revolving-door politics to persist largely unchecked. Alberto Alemanno, professor of EU law at HEC Paris Business School, warns that this “culture of impunity” not only erodes democratic trust but is also exploited by anti-EU forces.

CNN highlights how experiencing awe can support teens’ mental and emotional well-being. Practical strategies include nurturing curiosity, sharing small moments of beauty, and rethinking screen habits. HEC Paris Business School professor Craig Anderson notes that most digital platforms are designed to capture attention—not to cultivate awe.

In an op-ed published in Sustainable Views, HEC Paris Business School professor François Gemenne proposes a new classification system for countries to break the deadlock in climate negotiations ahead of COP30. Based on a study correlating CO₂ emissions and the Human Development Index, he argues for replacing the outdated industrialised/developing divide with three tiers of transformation capacity. This approach aims to reconcile development and climate action by showing that, beyond a certain development threshold, emissions can stabilize or decline without compromising wellbeing.

The Financial Times reports the results of HEC Paris professor David Restrepo's latest research, which show that employees who use AI like ChatGPT perform better—but get penalized when they disclose it.

AMBA BGA announces the launch the launch of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation Centre for Family Business by HEC Paris Business School, dedicated to research and teaching on family firms. The centre will focus on governance, values, entrepreneurship, and talent, aiming to support the sustainable impact of family businesses on the economy.

The EU’s top court has ruled that Ursula von der Leyen’s text messages with Pfizer’s CEO during the pandemic can be disclosed, rejecting the Commission’s refusal as lacking a “plausible explanation.” Interviewed by The Guardian, law professor at HEC Paris Business School Alberto Alemanno called the ruling a reminder that EU leaders remain accountable under the rule of law.

Germany, long a defender of EU fiscal rules, is now set to breach them with its €1tn stimulus plan, reports The Financial Times. Armin Steinbach, law professor at HEC Paris Business School, highlights the irony, noting that Germany’s past insistence on compliance fuelled European tensions during the debt crisis. The shift is sparking wider debate on whether the Stability and Growth Pact remains fit for the geopolitical age.

The Financial Times reports that Friedrich Merz’s failed first vote in the Bundestag exposed deep coalition fragilities and undermined his authority. Professor at HEC Paris Business School Armin Steinbach comments that voters may forget this misstep if the government delivers results.

In an op-ed for Project Syndicate, law professor at HEC Paris Business School Alberto Alemanno argues that Trump’s attacks on Europe have backfired, uniting EU leaders around strategic autonomy. His confrontational stance has revived the Franco-German engine, pushed the UK closer to the EU, and triggered bold reforms in defense and finance. The result: a more confident, resilient, and politically integrated Europe.