What sets a business apart? What makes your investment sustainable and profitable in the long run? How do I start my business?
The division of Business and Economics (BE) focuses on equipping students with the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies to deal with current economic and business challenges.
Our programs equip students with an interdisciplinary and rigorous approach grounded on the principles of the liberal arts, to enable them to take key decisions in a rapidly changing economic environment. Combining guest lectures from industry experts, field projects and research workshops, faculty help students develop a rigorous and up-to-date knowledge on the most challenging and compelling topics on business and economics.
Our educational programs stress both theoretical and applied concepts, quantitative and qualitative reasoning, communication skills, and basic computer literacy. We challenge students to integrate and apply concepts, frameworks and critical thinking to current, real-world management scenarios.
The BE division offers five majors: in the area of Economics and Finance, students can choose majors in Finance, in International Economics and in Political Economy; In the area of Management, students can choose International Management and International Marketing Management. In addition, we present minors in Economics, Management, Finance and Marketing.
Students with degrees from BE have gone on to graduate school to further deepen their studies; to multinational companies in several industries (e.g. fashion, fast-moving consumer goods, automotive), to consultancy firms, banks and other financial institutions.
HIGHLIGHTS
Vodafone's Digital Transformation
Salvatore Caramano, a representative from Vodafone, came to educate Master of Science in International Management (MSIM) students about the impacts of their transformative shift from a standard approach to a more digital-focused strategy. As a Vodafone salesman, Caramano discussed the new technologies that are facilitating this transition. This collaboration was organized by the Division of Business and Economics as a way to support its graduate students by enriching their education with real industry professionals.
FEATURED PUBLICATION
Managing Sustainable Luxury and Digitalization
Mario D. Schultz, Assistant Professor of International Management at Franklin University Switzerland, and Peter Seele, Professor at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), explored the concept of 'retouched luxury' in their new book published by Routledge, 'Managing Sustainable Luxury and Digitalization: Technology Trends and Ethical Challenges in the Swiss Luxury Watch Business.' The book offers fresh transdisciplinary insights into luxury, examining the current trend of digitally altered (censored) and blockchain-verified (censored) luxury watches. It also discusses the broader implications for luxury studies and managerial practice.
Next to launching their new book, the authors also introduced their newly founded Luxury Observatory Lugano (LOL). This new research center is described as an “observatory on luxury studies at the intersection of business and philosophy.“ The research lab and the book aim to benefit academics, scholars, and students in management studies, particularly those interested in luxury industries, luxury management, business ethics, digital transformation, and the philosophical underpinnings of luxury.
Students & Alumni
Beata Kanka '18
Studying economics at Franklin was an influential and path-changing experience. I had never planned to major in economics. However, the introductory economics courses made such a strong impression on me and aroused my interest to the extent that I decided - even to my surprise - to add economics as a second major.
Excellence and devotion from the part of the faculty provided me with both an in-depth knowledge and an enjoyable learning experience, not to mention the academic travel to India and Bhutan, where we had the chance to examine economic issues firsthand. I feel enriched by acquiring such a diverse and quality education.
James Jasper '11
In the rapidly changing world of business and finance, a great education in economics makes you truly valuable to any enterprise. Franklin's Department of Economics provides just that--not only are high-level theories of banking and economics discussed in detail, instructors focus on strategic decision making and business level analysis as well. Regardless of whether students enter large firms or start-ups, they will make a meaningful contribution to their organization and be prepared with the knowledge needed to grow in their positions. In my own career as a Business Intelligence Analyst at Sebonic Financial, the knowledge provided by my economics courses has allowed me to effectively control point-of-sale pricing for a multi-million dollar company while also positioning me to execute on the strategic growth plan. Focusing on breadth and depth of knowledge, the department trains students to excel in the modern world.
Fahd Arnouk '11
My experience with the Department of Economics at Franklin was both eye-opening and rewarding. I learned the importance and impact of individuals like John Maynard Keynes on modern economic thinking, and I was also taught the essentials of corporate finance and statistical modeling. By the time I graduated in 2011, I felt well-versed in how important concepts like monetary policy and stock price valuation were in international markets. Having that solid foundation helped ease the transition into my graduate studies in management at King's College London, and will no doubt help me now as I am looking to start my career.
Faculty within the BE division combine high-level research and applied and practical experience in their teaching activities, making each course updated and able to tackle real-world issues. They will empower students by providing them with the tools and instruments to build a successful career. By advising and mentoring students, faculty will help each one to grow and become a global business leader able to make a real impact in any endeavor.
We invite you to peruse our individual faculty profiles for more information or check out the publications section below to see some of our recent scholarships.
Division Chair
Full-time Faculty
Part-time Faculty
Discover all the latest BE division events, projects, activities, and accomplishments. Our faculty publish volumes, attend and organize conferences, arrange workshops and guest lectures, creating new knowledge, learning opportunities and initiatives for the University and their students. In addition, they are award-winning dedicated academics who further contribute to their field of expertise and enhance their skills and competencies.
Vodafone's Digital Transformation
Salvatore Caramano, a representative from Vodafone, came to educate Master of Science in International Management (MSIM) students about the impacts of their transformative shift from a standard approach to a more digital-focused strategy. As a Vodafone salesman, Caramano discussed the new technologies that are facilitating this transition. This collaboration was organized by the Division of Business and Economics as a way to support its graduate students by enriching their education with real industry professionals.
AI and Big Data in Media: Insights from Dentsu
With the advent of the age of Artificial Intelligence, big data firms and AI have established a symbiotic relationship. Algorithms are trained on a wide array of data gathered from internet users, including social media engagement, website visits, and search histories, to enhance user experiences. As the media sector evolves, Artificial Intelligence and big data have become essential in transforming enterprises and adapting organizational structures to technological advancements.
Paolo Artioli, Media Innovation Director at Dentsu, one of the top five marketing and public relations firms, recently engaged with students from Franklin University Switzerland's Master of Science in International Management (MSIM) program.
Digital Bonds with Paolo Bortolin
The Business and Economics Division, represented by Professor David Suleiman, was honored to welcome Paolo Bortolin, Deputy CFO and Member of the City of Lugano's Crypto and Blockchain Taskforce to Franklin University Switzerland. In his presentation to Franklin students, Bortolin elaborated on his experience issuing the first digital bond for the city of Lugano. Lugano was one of the first cities in the world to issue such a bond and Paolo Bortolin played an integral part in executing the issuance of these digital bonds.
LTCC and Bally
As part of the Strategic Marketing course led by Professor Giulia Miniero, our International Management Master students visited the Lifestyle Tech Competence Center to collaborate on a project with the renowned luxury fashion brand Bally. This project is facilitated by key members Annamaria Morena (Bally - Global Head of Marketing), Jelena Tasic Pizzolato (LTCC - Managing Director), and Ledia Malecaj (LTCC - Marketing Specialist).
The LTCC, partnering with an array of brands, places a special focus on digital projects, especially in their GEN Z LAB, which conducts various initiatives to better understand and leverage the GEN Z market.
MSIM students will have the opportunity to take part in the Bally Gen Z Lab pilot program. During this program, they will have the chance to become familiar with the Bally brand and collaborate with company managers, during two days of design thinking workshop, on ideating an enriching customer experience for the modern Bally customer.
The students' insights will not only benefit their classroom learning but will also contribute to Bally's real-world strategy.
Think Tank with Deloitte - Future of Fashion
Franklin University Switzerland, in collaboration with Deloitte, orchestrated a dynamic one-day Think Tank focusing on the fusion of business acumen and the fashion industry. Participants engaged in a pivotal “Work Place” crash course and delved into contemporary developments in fashion through immersive case studies. The forum, filled with budding professionals, sought insights and tips on succeeding in the business realm. This initiative highlighted the continuous endeavor of both entities in fostering learning and professional growth.
Franklin X Jakala: a Digital Future
Whether in the boardroom or the lecture hall, the comment, "I saw it on TikTok" happens a lot. BUS383: Digital Marketing, taught by Professor Miniero, Associate Professor and Chair of the Academic Division of Business and Economics, guides the class into the idea of gaining skills in digital marketing and social media, in order to better compete in the modern business world. Franklin University Switzerland has teamed up with Jakala, a digital transformation company, to work on an ongoing client case with Digital Marketing students.
FUS and H-Farm Hackathon
The Division of Business and Economics of Franklin University Switzerland is proud to organize and host the first edition of a Hackathon around the topics of Digital Transformation and Sustainability with H-Farm, the largest and one of the most important innovation hubs in Europe.
Graduate students of MSIM together with the International Management senior undergraduate class welcomed H-Farm and their Master’s students in Digital Entrepreneurship to Lugano for a 3-day immersive interaction and collaborative experience. On Thursday, Feb 23, FUS and H-Farm students worked together in groups and challenge themselves on the topic of NFTs.
Divided into 8 mixed groups, students had the entire day to create one/or more NFTs, create a wallet and be ready to trade it. These works have been pitched to a jury composed of faculty members from both FUS and H-Farm, students also came up with the storytelling to convince the jury of the value and uniqueness of their idea, and possibly invest in their project.
Bridging different perspectives, cultural backgrounds, and knowledge to work synergically on a common project: this is the true Franklin experiential learning experience!
FUS X Simbiosi | BUS 342W
How does a business successfully implement green initiatives in its strategy while creating profit and helping the environment? Simbiosi achieves this by applying a circular economy model which sustains and enhances the value chain of their customers. The goal of BUS 342 W's study is to assess Simbiosi’s business proposition as a holistic approach to sustainability, benefiting the stakeholders of the company, the environment, and the community. The assessment is done by evaluating the profitability, competitiveness, and challenges faced by the company’s 4 business units. The purpose of the case study is to frame the scalability of said business proposition into different markets and the effectiveness of circular economy on the 3-dimensions of sustainability. All were produced with knowledge from BUS 342: Green Marketing and CSR, and in collaboration with ENV 497: Senior Capstone.
BUS 342 W Class: James Arnold, Jeremie Belokrinickij, Nicole Belotti, Andrii Bondarenko, Casey Campagne, Lexine Renee Cantoria, Ana Centeno Diaz, Samantha Elam, Maxim Eremeev, Ashley Garcia Rodriguez, Majda Halim, Thomas Lieber, Kristina Merkulova, Gayane Oganesyan, Seri Serhan, Carlos Varela, Noor Wahbo Badr, and Kyle Weiss.
BUS and MGT Students Play Simulation Game Toward a Post-Fossil Society
On Wednesday, April 26th, from 9:30-15:30 Franklin students will join Dr. Markus Ulrich in a race to reduce emissions in a climate simulation game like no other! The game is designed to engage undergraduate and graduate students from Franklin to test climate mitigation measures in an experimental setting. The simulation game allows participants to adopt unfamiliar perspectives of different societal actors and encourages strategic alliance thinking. Based on databases and models to identify potential development pathways toward post-fossil cities, the simulation game is about imagining what a sustainable city and society could look like and is divided into three phases: introduction, simulation, and debriefing, enabling players to learn how to reduce CO2 emissions while staying within the carbon budget and collaborating. Stay tuned for our exclusive post-game coverage! For more details about the event organized by Prof. Schultz and Prof. Miniero from the Division of Business and Economics, click here.
The Franklin Frank
In the Spring of 2014, the Economics and Finance Department launched a new currency as part of an educational initiative. This currency is called the Franklin Frank (FRF). 
Post-emergence of COVID-19, the program has adapted to better accommodate the changes required by the pandemic. The Franklin Frank Community Engagement program invites Franklin University students to contribute their time to volunteer work within the school community and in the greater Ticino area. In exchange for their service, students receive Franklin Franks with which they are able to trade in for class credit in selected courses, or trade amongst classmates. The primary goal of this program is to raise awareness among students about the importance of service learning, as well as to strengthen our Franklin identity. In addition, the program will educate participants on various economic features through the Franklin Frank based “economy” and its functioning.
Our many faculty members’ publications range from academic journals, case studies, scholarly writings, book chapters and more with a cross-disciplinary perspective. They conduct innovative and pioneering research, spanning diverse insights, integration and application, while being actively engaged in the creation of intellectual exchange and education
Highlighted
Managing Sustainable Luxury and Digitalization
Mario D. Schultz, Assistant Professor of International Management at Franklin University Switzerland, and Peter Seele, Professor at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), explored the concept of 'retouched luxury' in their new book published by Routledge, 'Managing Sustainable Luxury and Digitalization: Technology Trends and Ethical Challenges in the Swiss Luxury Watch Business.' The book offers fresh transdisciplinary insights into luxury, examining the current trend of digitally altered (censored) and blockchain-verified (censored) luxury watches. It also discusses the broader implications for luxury studies and managerial practice.
Next to launching their new book, the authors also introduced their newly founded Luxury Observatory Lugano (LOL). This new research center is described as an “observatory on luxury studies at the intersection of business and philosophy.“ The research lab and the book aim to benefit academics, scholars, and students in management studies, particularly those interested in luxury industries, luxury management, business ethics, digital transformation, and the philosophical underpinnings of luxury.
Games and Museums
Giulia Miniero (Associate Professor of Marketing, Chair Business and Economics division at Franklin University Switzerland) and Marta Pizzetti (Assistant Professor of Marketing at Emlyon Business School) published a chapter on "Games and Museums: A Novel Approach to Attracting and Retaining Audiences." in “The Oxford handbook of Arts and Cultural Management”.
In their study, Pizzetti and Miniero investigate how digital experiences, specifically gamification, virtual tours, and podcasts, are perceived by museum visitors and how they contribute to overall improvements in the museum experience.
As cultural institutions, museums have a vested interest in audience development and engagement, and the implementation of digital experiences has become an increasingly popular approach to achieving these goals. Through an experiment, Pizzetti and Miniero explored the differential effects of three different digital experiences (e.g. gamification, podcasts, and virtual tours) on critical variables such as perceived authenticity, intention to interact with the digital experience, the novelty of the experience, and attitude toward the museum.
The results of the study suggest that gamification can be a particularly effective approach for museums looking to attract and retain audiences. Visitors perceived the gamified digital experience as both novel and authentic and were willing to engage with the digital tool. Furthermore, the use of the gamified experience led to a more positive attitude toward the museum itself.
The study's findings have significant implications for cultural institutions seeking to engage audiences in innovative and interactive ways. By incorporating gamification into their digital experiences, museums may be able to better connect with younger generations and improve visitor experiences overall.
Towards an open innovation ecosystem in the cultural industry
A research paper co-authored by Vera Dianova, Giulia Miniero, and David Suleiman entitled "Towards an open innovation ecosystem in the cultural industry: The bright side of trust and the dark side of measurement," was published on January 17, 2023 in the Journal of Philanthropy and Marketing.
The paper explores and analyzes the concept of open innovation ecosystems in the context of cultural industries, taking inspiration from the real experience of the Lugano Dance Festival organized by LAC Lugano in 2022. Despite the increasing attention given to the idea of innovation ecosystems in academic literature, there has been limited exploration of the concept’s application to the cultural industries, particularly to philanthropically funded cultural initiatives. This study seeks to address this gap by examining the factors that have enabled a nascent open innovation ecosystem to emerge in the cultural industry.
The authors employed a primary qualitative data collection method that involved in-depth interviews with stakeholders, observation, and immersion in the field. The study focuses on a philanthropically-funded cultural initiative and uses the ecosystem-as-structure conceptual framework to study the critical components and characteristics of the emergent ecosystem from the viewpoint of key stakeholders.
The findings of the study reveal a number of essential factors that are crucial elements of success for the emergent ecosystem. The research highlights the managerial practices and strategies that facilitate the success of philanthropically-funded artistic initiatives, which foster the creation of a new open innovation arts ecosystem.
This research provides valuable insights for academics interested in utilizing the open innovation ecosystem framework for the analysis of emerging ecosystems, particularly in the cultural industries. Furthermore, the study provides a unique and valuable perspective to managers and leaders in the cultural industry and in philanthropic organizations. The findings of this study can inform the development of policies and practices that foster open innovation ecosystems in the cultural industry.
Fiscal sustainability under a paper standard: two paradigms
Professor Andrea Terzi's paper, "Fiscal sustainability under a paper standard: two paradigms" opens the 2023 issue of the Journal of Post Keynesian Economics.
This paper investigates the theoretical foundations of fiscal sustainability and the policy prescription that when the trajectory of public debt is above a certain threshold, priority should be given to fiscal consolidation. The author contends that the assumption that the government sector is subject to an intertemporal budget constraint can be validated only within a real-exchange economy where money is neutral and public debt entails the absorption of private savings.
Conversely, when the economy is viewed as a system of interlocking balance sheets under a paper standard, public debt may prompt higher prices but not an inflation overhang forcing monetization or default. Another justification regards the quality of spending when policymakers’ incentives create a deficit bias, but this must be balanced against the need to flexibly provide safe financial assets to offer fiscal support when needed. In conclusion, limiting fiscal action within an intertemporal budget constraint is unwarranted under a paper standard and generates deflationary effects, underlining the urgent need that Europe move decisively toward the creation of a coordinated fiscal policy joined to a permanent capacity to issue EU debt. This is today’s most urgently needed reform for the economic, social, and political sustainability of the European Union.
Consumers’ Journey between Liquid and Solid Consumption
Beretta, E., Miniero, G., & Ricotta, F. (2021). Consumers’ Journey between Liquid and Solid Consumption. Sustainability, 13(24), 13730
Beretta, Miniero and Ricotta investigate the consumers journey between Liquid and solid consumption. It combines theoretical approaches that aim at measuring the individual characteristics that induces this behavior. Their overall findings on the topic have various managerial implications that assist brand and sustainability managers in better understanding the shift that consumers are undergoing, as their preferences shift from a from solid to liquid. After conducting four separate segments (Rational and liquid; Hybrid and question mark; Solid in transition and Hyper solid ) associated with diverse consumer behavior, based on the solid versus liquid continuum, were identified by a cluster analysis on seven psychological variables.
Design Thinking for Food Well Being: an Adolescent Language Perspective
Individuals start learning about food and food habits when they are children. How then do they develop and evolve their food habits over time? In this work, Prof Miniero and her colleagues analyze the language that adolescents (13-to 18 y.o.) use to describe their food habits and food wellbeing.
Why not promote promotion for green consumption?
Promoting a more sustainable and environmental conscious behavior is fundamental for policy makers and companies. What strategies to employ from an advertising point of you?
In this paper, Prof Miniero and her colleagues suggest that focusing on the concept of regulatory focus might be an interesting solution for fostering a more sustainable behavior.
Value co-production made easy: the role of fantastical thinking
Addis, M., Miniero, G., & Ricotta, F. (2020). Value co-production made easy: the role of fantastical thinking. European Journal of Marketing
Companies across many industries are now offering to customers opportunities to customize, personalize and cocreate products. Sometimes, this process is very complex for customers. In this paper, Prof Miniero and her colleagues explain how by leveraging on fantasy, consumers can succeeed and enjoy in the customization activity.
Other Publications
Dudukovic S. (2021) “Cascade volatility model does not produce Gaussian residuals”, Forthcoming in " Journal of Finance and Accountancy, Vol. 29, March
Dasgupta, P. “Using travel to teach Sustainable Economic Development” Chapter in ‘Reteaching economics - experiences from plural socio*economic higher education’. Springer VS. 2020
Miniero, G. (with M & F.Ricotta). Value co-production made easy: the role of fantastical thinking. European Journal of Marketing.
Miniero, G. (with M. Bonera, A. Codini, A) “The great Millennials’ trouble: leading or confused green generation? An Italian insight.” Italian Journal of Marketing, 2020(4), 289-308.
Miniero, G. (with M. Pizzetti, A.Baccelloni, F. Ricotta) “Design Thinking for Food Well being: an adolescent language perspective”, in Design Thinking for Food Well Being, Edited by Batat, W, Springer New York, forthcoming
Miniero, G. (with C. Holst)“Corporate Communication and the Arts: The Mistake of not engaging”, in Managing the Cultural Business Avoiding Mistakes, Finding Success. Edited by Addis, M., Rurale, A, Routdlege,
Dudukovic S.2019. “Evaluating Realized Volatility Models with Higher Order Cumulants: HAR-RV Versus ARIMA-RV”. In H.Bilgin, M., Danis at al (eds). Eurasian Business Perspectives. Eurasian Studies in Business and Economics, Springer Nature-Switzerland. pp 315-336. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-11833-4
Dudukovic S.2019." Inverse Time Series approach to Non-Gaussian GARCH-ARMA FX Volatility Modeling ", Paper presented and published in Conference Proceedings, EBES 28th, London May 28-31, 2019.
Terzi, A. (2019). The rise of national central banks' TARGET balances in the euro area: a comment. European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, 1, 1-8.
Dudukovic S.(2018) ." Micro and Macro Determinants of Stock Prices and their Volatility - The Case of International Oil Companies", Presented at 25th EBES Conference and published in the Proceedings, Berlin May 23-25, 2018.
Dudukovic S.(2018) .”A new approach to Economic & Financial non-Gaussian Time Series Modeling and Forecasting”. 1st Vienna Workshop on Economic Forecasting Feb. 15-16, 2018. Institute for Advanced Studies Vienna (IHS).Poster section.
Miniero, G. (with M. Addis, F. Ricotta)“Building brands through experiential events: when entertainment meets education”, African Journal of Business Management, vol 12 (20),pp 596-608
Miniero, G. (with M. Addis, I. Soscia)“Facing contradictory Emotions in Event Marketing”, Journal of Consumer Marketing, vol 35 issue 2
Miniero G. (with A. Codini, M. Bonera) “ Why not promote promotion for green consumption? The controversial role of regulatory focus”. European Business Review, 30(5), 554-570.
Dudukovic S. “Does Multiplicative Seasonal Volatility Model Outperform Cascade Volatility Model? Evidence from Forex Market”. Presented at 22 EBES conference in May, Italy at the University “LA Sapienza”, 2017
Miniero, G. (with F. Ricotta, M. Addis) ” Personalizzazione vs Semplificazione: ottimizzare la differenziazione divertendosi” Non c’è più il marketing di una volta. Scritti in ricordo di Gennaro Cuomo, Cedam
Miniero, G. (with P. Caiozzo, M.C. Cito) “Venditore si nasce? Il mestiere visto dagli studenti”, Economia e Management, vol 1
Miniero, G. (2017) “Nuove frontiere dell’esperienza di consumo: il ruolo della fantasia”, Egea ISBN: 978-88-238-4576-3
Miniero, G. (with A. Codini, M. Bonera) “Time horizon and green consumption” Mercati e Competitività, vol 1
Miniero, G. (with M. Addis) “Come aumentare il ritorno della personalizzazione dei prodotti?” Ideas of Management, SDA Bocconi Business School, July
Terzi, A. (2016). In the absence of fiscal union, the Eurozone needs a more flexible monetary policy: A comment. PSL Quarterly Review - Economia Civile, 69(278), 279-285.
Terzi, A. (2016). A T-shirt model of savings, debt, and private spending: lessons for the euro area. European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, Edward Elgar Publishing, 13(1), 39-56.
Miniero, G. (with M. Bonera, A. Codini, E. Corvi, G. Bertoli) “Stimolare le scelte di consumo green”, Micro e Macro Marketing, vol 1
Miniero,G. (with M. Addis, F. Ricotta) “Personalizzare l’offerta con successo: il ruolo della fantasia”, Economia & Management, vol 1