Research projects

Duration: 2015-2017
Projectsite

The ISS-EU module aims to promote the European values of the EMBS path in training multiculturalism, exploiting experiences of internationalization and developing soft skills for organizational change.
In literature, both researchers and practitioners propose theories, models and best practices with regard to two specific areas:

 

  • the correlation between internationalization and acquisition of multicultural skills and
  • the relationship between soft skills and organizational change.

The acquisition of soft skills for organizational change in a European and international context has however received little attention.
The ISS-EU project aims to offer the opportunity to acquire advanced soft skills and knowledge in the field of change management in a European and international context to talented students of various backgrounds and cultures.
ISS-EU promotes research and first teaching experience on soft skills, internationalization and change management for students, young researchers, scholars, and practitioners at European level. ISS-EU wants to fill a gap existing in both scientific studies and teaching methods: the relation between internationalization, soft skills competences and change management [4, 5, 6, 7, 8].

For that reason, the project will focus on:

  • the correlation between internationalization and acquisition of multicultural and soft skills,
  • the relationship between soft skills and organizational change, and
  • the triangulation of the above-mentioned relations.

The module goals:

  • promotes research and first teaching experience for young researchers and scholars and practitioners in European Union issues
  • fosters the publication and dissemination of the results of academic research
  • creates interest in the EU and constitutes the basis for future poles of European knowledge, particularly in Partner Countries
  • delivers tailor-made courses on specific EU issues relevant for graduates in their professional life  

The ISS-EU module will deliver tailor-made courses and a seminar series on specific issues relevant for graduates in their European professional life related to the following WPs: 

WP1 - Internationalization and multiculturalism at European and international level: overview of EU commerce, globalization of competitive environments and the determinants of international competitive advantage. Influence of the environmental variable "culture" on EU operations of the firm and strategies of internationalisation (Responsible Prof. Trevisan, UniTrento)
WP2 - Negotiation and Training: theoretical approaches, practical concepts, strategies and negotiation tactics in Europe
(Responsible Prof. Wagner – visiting scholar)
WP3 - Theatrical improvisation workshop: an innovative elective course of improvisational theatre. Two days of experiential teaching, involving students from all over Europe, aimed to improve soft skills for teamwork, conflict and change management, multiculturalism and innovation. Soft skills will be acquired through an experiential activity in which students from all over Europe will understand different behaviour, coordinate each other to solve emerging and unexpected problems, and develop innovative solutions
(Responsible Prof. Cuel – Module coordinator, UniTrento)
WP4 - The triangulation of the three modules, on topics as soft skills, organizational behaviours, negotiation, and innovation
(responsible Prof. Pommeret – visiting scholar).

 

further information: ISS-EU General overview | Jean Monnet Centre (unitn.it)