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Paolo DI TOMA

Professore Ordinario
Dipartimento di Comunicazione ed Economia

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Pubblicazioni

2023 - Business Model Innovation and Dynamic Capabilities Development in IoT Start-Ups [Capitolo/Saggio]
DI TOMA, Paolo; Correggi, Cecilia
abstract

2023 - How the interaction between business model and governance leads to sustainable value creation: a case study [Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
DI TOMA, Paolo; Correggi, Cecilia
abstract

2023 - THE UNDEREXPLORED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES FOR BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION: A CASE STUDY [Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Correggi, Cecilia; DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

2022 - Conceptualising business model innovation: evidence from the managers’ advice network [Articolo su rivista]
Ghinoi, Stefano &; Di Toma, Paolo
abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing consensus in management and organisation studies regarding the crucial role played by business model innovation in supporting firms’ competitiveness. However, the intra-organisational processes that aim to develop business model innovation and the antecedents for its conceptualisation remain underexplored. Organisational mechanisms for learning between managers lead to the establishment of intraorganisational advice networks, which facilitate the acquisition and diffusion of knowledge for innovation. Using social network analysis, this study investigates the elements associated with intraorganisational networking intended to innovate business models. We analyse a multiunit cooperative firm as a case study. Within this firm, the conceptualisation of the novel business model activated a collaborative system of advice exchange between managers. We found that networking is supported by active managers who spread advice within the firm and managers who go beyond the boundaries of their organisational role. We propose several managerial recommendations, including that managers can develop sub-groups constituting specific and unique knowledge structures, which represent the real generators of business model innovation.

2022 - How ambidexterity and governance interact for Business Model Innovation in family firms: A process view [Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
DI TOMA, Paolo; Correggi, Cecilia
abstract

2022 - Managers' brokerage for business model innovation: A case study [Articolo su rivista]
Ghinoi, S.; Di Toma, P.
abstract

Business model innovation is recognized as a key process for strengthening firms' performance in situations of strong competitive pressure and environmental changes. This process is driven by intra-organizational advice networks between managers, which exchange different types of advice based on organizational learning mechanisms such as cognitive search (how to conceptualize and create a novel business model) and experiential learning (how to adapt and experiment a novel business model. Investigating what are the key figures emerging from such network is essential for an in-depth understanding of the business model innovation process. By focusing on a multi-unit firm operating in the personal care service industry, we use Social Network Analysis (SNA) to examine the brokerage role of managers when sharing different types of advice towards a novel business model. Our results show that middle-level managers connect different managerial groups in different networks; however, differences exist between groups of middle managers, confirming their peculiar nature within organizations.

2022 - The role of corporate governance in the development of strategy execution in family firms. [Capitolo/Saggio]
Di Toma, P.
abstract

In recent years, strategy execution has been the focus of growing interest involving both scholars and practitioners. Several surveys showed that top executives identify effective strategy execution to be the most crucial and challenging issue they are faced with (for example, Sull et al. 2015). The growing evidence that strategy execution is a key element in under- standing why some firms perform better than others has driven the need to undertake new avenues of research to advance our theoretical understanding of the emerging construct of strategy execution (Albuquerque de Oliveira et al. 2019). Scholars first investigated factors leading to successful strategy execu- tion and integrated them into a framework of causal links to develop principles for guiding strategy execution (Burgelman and Grove 2007; Davis et al. 2009; Miller 1997). However, a systematic and comprehensive body of literature is still a long way from being achieved. Research to date has largely neglected the link between strategy execution and corporate governance, although it has a significant influence on the strategy process and the running of the business (Schmidt and Brauer 2006). The theoretical gap in understanding the interplay between strategy execution and corporate governance is especially relevant in family business research owing to the acknowledged institutional overlap between family, business and management, and its pervasive effect on the running of the business (Sharma 2004). Thus, it leaves significant weaknesses for understanding differences in family firms’ behavior (Chrisman et al. 2007; Zellweger et al. 2010) and how these differences impact on business performance (Chua et al. 2005). This research was carried out using a single case-study approach and investigates how and why corporate governance in family firms influences strategy execution. Drawing on recent literature on entrepreneurship in family firms and behavioral perspectives on corporate governance, the study focuses on how the actors and processes of family governance enable the creation of effective organizational capability for strategy execution. Findings show that governance actors, their behaviors, how they interact and the processes they put into practice, as well as the relationships of inter- dependence, can configure a mechanism that facilitates the development of organizational capabilities for effective strategy execution. The results show that the distinctive behavior of family members and their action through family governance exerts a fundamental influence on strategy execution. In this perspective, the interaction of family governance with strategy execution helps to explain the differences and distinctiveness of family firms’ performance.

2021 - "It-could-work!" Multistakeholder governance mechanisms for firms' regeneration: An opportunity for SMEs in times of crisis [Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Di Toma, P.; Lazzini, A.
abstract

This study addresses workers buyouts as a form of governance suitable for designing and implementing solutions to business crises from a socially responsible and multistakeholder perspective. In recent years, there have been repeated phases of economic crisis that have led to increased business crises, resulting in great damage to society as a whole as well as the real lives of the people involved. Business crises affect managers and employees working at firms in crisis, which in turn impacts their families. Using a single case study approach, this research focuses on the governance changes leading to a workers buyout and the formation of a cooperative firm. It explores in depth the conditions that enable the start-up of a workers buyout and the critical issues faced by the new form of governance. In particular, the study focuses on how external stakeholders can play a crucial role in a firm’s entrepreneurial relaunch. The findings show that the experience of a workers buyout can represent a meaningful model for relaunching on a new entrepreneurial path that offers new opportunities to a firm, its managers and its workers from a multistakeholder and sustainable perspective.

2021 - BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION AND THE BOARD IN START-UP COMPANIES: A DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES PERSPECTIVE. [Capitolo/Saggio]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

2021 - CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND STRATEGY EXECUTION IN FAMILY FIRMS: A CASE STUDY [Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Di Toma, P.
abstract

This study addresses strategy execution in family firms and focuses on how corporate governance can influence the development of organizational capability for effective strategy implementation. In recent years, both scholars and practitioners have paid increasing attention to strategy execution. Growing competitive pressure, the entry of new competitors into the competitive landscape, and significant so-cial and technological changes have emphasized the key role of strategy execution for the survival and development of firms. However, researchers for a long time had substantially neglected the topic and there are still significant gaps in the theoretical understanding of how the strategy is implemented in family businesses and how corporate governance affects its effectiveness. With the aim of bridging this gap, this research addresses how and why corporate governance practices impacts the effective execution of strategy in family businesses. Leveraging on strategic management and governance perspectives on family firms, this research was carried out by a case study approach and investigates a family firm involved in a process of entrepre-neurial growth and professionalization. Findings show how corporate governance acts as a mecha-nism that conditions the development of organizational capability to execute the strategy.

2020 - DEVELOPING STRATEGY EXECUTION IN FAMILY FIRMS: A GOVERNANCE PERSPECTIVE [Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

This study addresses strategy execution in family firms and focuses on how corporate governance can influence the development of organizational capability for effective strategy implementation. In recent years, both scholars and practitioners have paid increasing attention to strategy execution. Growing competitive pressure, the entry of new competitors into the competitive landscape, and significant so-cial and technological changes have emphasized the key role of strategy execution for the survival and development of firms. However, researchers for a long time had substantially neglected the topic and there are still significant gaps in the theoretical understanding of how the strategy is implemented in family businesses and how corporate governance affects its effectiveness. With the aim of bridging this gap, this research addresses how and why corporate governance practices impacts the effective execution of strategy in family businesses. Leveraging on strategic management and governance perspectives on family firms, this research was carried out by a case study approach and investigates a family firm involved in a process of entrepre-neurial growth and professionalization. Findings show how corporate governance acts as a mecha-nism that conditions the development of organizational capability to execute the strategy.

2020 - Integrating Business Model Innovation and Corporate Governance in Family-Owned SMEs: A Dynamic Capability Perspective [Capitolo/Saggio]
Di Toma, P.
abstract

In recent years, business model innovation has been the focus of a growing debate involving both scholars and practitiones. A business model has been conceptualised as a system of interdependent activities enabling a firm—in concert with its partners—to create, and capture a share of, value. In family-owned SMEs, the involvement of family members in ownership and/or managerial roles may exert a substantial influence on the firm’s business model and its innovation trajectories. Family members are often closely linked to strategic decision-making, addressing and evaluating desired goals, managing resources, or developing the necessary organisational capabilities. Investigating how unique family characteristics translate into dynamic capabilities may shed light on how small family firms innovate their busi- ness models and create sustainable value over time. The innovation of a business model is the result of dynamic capabilities). Recent efforts have explored the ways in which firms establish organisational processes enabling them to integrate, build, and reconfigure internal and external competences, thus leading to dynamic capabilities. However, there is a lack of theoretical understanding and empirical evidence on the role of corporate governance in the development of dynamic capabilities in the context of SMEs and family firms. This study attempts to fill this gap by using a resource-based view (RBV) of the firm, as well as building upon recent research addressing the enterprise dimension of corporate governance. It addresses how corporate governance practices may influence resource management, thus leading to dynamic capabilities. It employs a single revelatory case to investigate the process by which a family-owned SME in possession of an exclusive material transformed its resource base and built firm-specific know-how which enabled the development of dynamic capabilities. The research focuses on the interconnection of these processes with corporate governance practices, and how appropriate variations led to business model innovation.

2020 - Overcoming hierarchy in business model innovation: an actor-oriented approach [Articolo su rivista]
Di Toma, Paolo; Ghinoi, Stefano
abstract

Abstract Purpose – Business model innovation is a key element for firms’ competitiveness. Its development can be supported by the establishment of an actor-oriented scheme to overcome hierarchical structures. The actor- oriented scheme is characterized by intra-organizational networks of relationships that can be established and dissolved between individuals. However, we lack an empirical perspective about its establishment; therefore, the purpose of this research is to advance our understanding of intra-organizational networks for supporting business model innovation. Design/methodology/approach – Individuals create and manage knowledge aimed to innovate the business model through cognitive search and experiential learning mechanisms. Knowledge is spread within organizations by using intra-organizational advice networks, whose patterns reflect the presence of an actor- oriented scheme. This work applies social network analysis to network data from a multi-unit organization specializing in personal care services. We use a Logistic Regression-Quadratic Assignment Procedure to analyze intra-organizational network data on managers’ advice exchange related to the learning modes of cognitive search and experiential learning. Findings – Our research empirically identifies the main elements of an actor-oriented scheme in a business model innovation process. We find that managers are able to self-organize, because they are not influenced by their organizational roles, and that commons for sharing resources and protocols, processes and infrastructures enable advice exchange, thus showing the presence of an actor-oriented scheme in business model innovation process. Research limitations/implications – This research is based on a cross-sectional database. A longitudinal study would provide a better understanding of the network evolution characterizing the innovation process. Practical implications – The results of our study support organizational decision-making for business model innovation. Originality/value – This study provides empirical evidence of how an actor-oriented scheme emerges in a business model innovation process. Keywords Business model innovation, Social network analysis, Actor-oriented scheme, Organizational learning Paper type Research paper

2019 - DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES AND BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION IN START UP COMPANIES: THE ROLE OF THE BOARD. [Working paper]
Di Toma, P.
abstract

This research addresses business model innovation in start up companies. In the face of discontinuities and disruptive changes involving social and business environment, firms need to constantly evolve their business model. Basing on a dynamic capabilities perspective, this study investigates how start up companies constantly adapt the know how required to innovate their business model by the development of network relationships. It also focuses how Boards need to reconfigure their role when performing their tasks. The research is carried out by a single case study approach and investigates a young start up company involved in the design of high tech innovative medical devices. Emerging findings show how a new combinative capability is generated by dynamically shaping the ecosystem and managing relationships with the actors involved.

2019 - Giustizia e governance delle imprese [Capitolo/Saggio]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

2019 - Questioni di giustizia [Curatela]
Neri, Massimo; Giovanola, Benedetta; Del Punta, Riccardo; Giovannetti, Enrico; Vecchio, Luca; Di Toma, Paolo; Masino, Giovanni; Berdicchia, Domenico; Barbini, Francesco Maria; Rinaldini, Matteo; Pompa, Leonardo
abstract

This book collects contributions on questions of justice. It proposes a reflection on justice observed from different disciplinary perspectives (organization, philosophy, labor law, economics, work psychology) concerning the basic assumptions underlying the research approaches on this topic. Then, the book considers justice in relation to different issues that are widely debated in the social arena (corporate governance, organizational design, well-being, digitalization of work processes, smart working). A critical point of view on the different positions is adopted. We believe that recognizing the specificities of single disciplines and their defining and applicative problems is a fundamental premise in order to face the new challenges that a subject as ancient as justice seems to bring to the forefront of today’s society.

2018 - THE INFLUENCE OF FAMILY INVOLVEMENT ON SMES EMPLOYEES’ DOWNSIZING DECISIONS [Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Kocollari, Ulpiana; Montanari, Stefano; DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Family firms are likely to align themselves with relevant stakeholders’ values which may include involvement in the local communities, a long term strategic focus based on identity image and reputation and human resource management. Different theoretical and empirical evidences seem to suggest that businesses that are family owned or controlled have a more caring approach towards their employees compared to the other firms. In order to verify the intrinsic or instrumental character of family firms’ social performance related to employees, the downsizing phenomenon was considered. Downsizing can be defined as process of personnel reduction in an organization aimed at improving the company’s competitive position. Based on the assumption that organizations with a tradition of placing greater value on employees’ needs and interests than on short-term perspective should avoid downsizing, the research tries to investigate the relationship between family firms, the extent of downsizing and the mediaton effect of the firm’s economic performance. The results show that family firms can vary their downsizing decisions if different family grade of involvement are considered: firms with high familiness make more “conservative” decisions on their workforce not only in a context of downsizing but also in a context of growth. Probably the resilience of these firms in cutting jobs can act at the same way even in the situation in which the firm could hire.

2017 - Corporate governance effectiveness along the entrepreneurial process of a family firm: the role of private equity [Articolo su rivista]
Di Toma, Paolo; Montanari, Stefano
abstract

This paper was motivated by the increasing interest in the corporate governance debate on how effective structure and processes may influence entre- preneurial transitions. Along the entrepreneurial process, little research to date has investigated the exit in the context of entrepreneurial family firms. Previous liter- ature has considered the exit mainly as a failure for entrepreneurial families, but when uncertainties arise this choice may enable ownership transitions, thus facili- tating survival and long term strategies. Among the exit options, a private equity buyout may balance the family’s wealth protection and the firm’s future growth. However, which family specific characteristics and strategic needs may affect the exit option still remains a neglected topic. Drawing on corporate governance lit- erature and recent research addressing entrepreneurship in family firms, this paper investigates, by a single case study, the bridging role of private equity buyout for going through entrepreneurial transitions. Findings suggest that a private equity buyout is a governance mechanism that may sustain an entrepreneurial transition by realigning family interests and goals. It may also allow the family commitment for improving organizational capabilities required by an entrepreneurial transition.

2016 - La corporate governance dell'azienda familiare: esigenze di professionalizzazione e approccio multidisciplinare [Capitolo/Saggio]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Il capitolo discute la relazione tra la corporate governance e la professionalizzazione dell'impresa familiare alla luce dell'evoluzione della letteratura manageriale e dei più recenti contributi degli studi sulle imprese familiari. Si esamina il tema degli equilibri tra famiglia ed impresa e dell'adattamento nel tempo della corporate governance alle differenti esigenze imprenditoriali e familiari. Si presenta, infine, il nesso tra la professionalizzazione e lo sviluppo di capacità organizzative che rappresenta un tema di elevata attualità nel dibattito scientifico nazionale ed internazionale.

2015 - Analisi dei costi [Monografia/Trattato scientifico]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Le analisi dei costi forniscono informazioni essenziali per guidare le imprese al miglioramento dell’efficienza. In questo lavoro si presentano le tecniche e gli strumenti fondamentali per il controllo del costo di prodotto, utili a imprenditori e manager per il perseguimento di obiettivi di efficienza della gestione.

2015 - Corporate governance effectiveness and value creation: the role of private equity [Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

This paper was motivated by the increasing interest in the current debate for the entrepreneurial process in family firms. Little research to date has investigated the family business exit and this choice has mainly been considered as a failure for entrepreneurial families. However, when uncertainties arise concerning generational succession, the family business exit may enable ownership transitions facilitating survival and long term value creation strategies. Among the exit options, a private equity buyout may balance the family’s wealth protection and the firm’s future growth. However, which family specific characteristics and strategic needs may affect the exit option still remains a neglected topic. Based on recent research addressing entrepreneurship in family firms and corporate governance literature, this paper develops a case study for investigating the bridging role of private equity buyout for going through strategic transitions in family firms. Findings suggest that a private equity buyout is a governance mechanism which may sustain an entrepreneurial transition by realigning family interests and goals. It may also allow the family commitment for improving organizational capabilities required by an entrepreneurial transition.

2015 - Il tempo nel cambiamento organizzativo [Capitolo/Saggio]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Il lavoro discute la rilevanza della variabile temporale nel cambiamento delle organizzazioni. Si approfondisce l'approccio metodologico di processo nello studio di casi e si evidenziano le implicazioni dell'estensione dell'indagine a periodi temporali prolungati per l'interpretazione dei fenomeni di cambiamento.

2015 - Storie di imprese e concezioni di organizzazione [Capitolo/Saggio]
Neri, Massimo; Chiapparino, Francesco; Pencarelli, Tonino; Poma, Lucio; Cori, Enrico; Di Toma, Paolo; Rinaldini, Matteo; Scapolan, Annachiara; Masino, Giovanni; Maggi, Bruno
abstract

Storie di imprese (TAO Digital Library, 2010), dedicated to the organizational transformations of five enterprises (Fiat Auto, Finmeccanica, Ciba Specialty chemicals, Zurich, Poste Italiane) during the 2000-2010 decade, stimulated a wide debate. This publication, which collects the commentaries and discussions of three seminar that took place in different Universities with the participation of scholars from different disciplines, continues the reflection about the crucial question: How do enterprises change?

2013 - Corporate governance e rinnovamento strategico nelle imprese familiari. [Monografia/Trattato scientifico]
DI TOMA, Paolo; Montanari, Stefano
abstract

La corporate governance esercita un ruolo essenziale per il perseguimento degli obiettivi strategici e per la protezione del valore investito nelle imprese. Tradizionalmente le è stata attribuita una funzione protettiva del valore aziendale, esercitata con l’introduzione di meccanismi per la riduzione dei conflitti d’interesse, tipicamente nel contesto delle grandi imprese a proprietà frazionata. Più recentemente si è riconosciuto il significativo contributo allo sviluppo ed alla creazione di valore nel medio-termine, per la stretta integrazione tra i processi strategici e di governance delle imprese. L’efficacia della corporate governance risiede, dunque, nella capacità di bilanciare le funzioni di protezione e di creazione del valore, in relazione alle esigenze strategiche contingenti. Coerentemente, le strutture ed i processi di corporate governance possono essere utilizzati dalle imprese per favorire il cambiamento od il rinnovamento strategico. Nelle imprese familiari la corporate governance presenta specificità originate dall’intreccio tra proprietà, management e famiglia. La combinazione famiglia-impresa produce condizioni e caratteristiche uniche che possono causare effetti sia positivi che negativi sul funzionamento e sui risultati dell’impresa. Il coinvolgimento dei membri delle famiglie di riferimento nella proprietà e nelle posizioni apicali della gerarchia organizzativa condiziona la selezione degli obiettivi, l’orizzonte temporale delle decisioni e lo sviluppo di capacità organizzative. Tuttavia, vi è ancora limitata evidenza delle modalità con cui l’interazione tra le prassi di governance e le scelte strategiche condizioni la creazione di valore nelle imprese familiari. In questo studio si discute l’efficacia della corporate governance nei percorsi di rinnovamento strategico delle imprese familiari. Si esaminano i risultati ed i limiti delle ricerche precedenti e si presentano casi aziendali per analizzare l’integrazione tra i processi strategici e di governance nelle fasi di transizione delle imprese familiari.

2012 - Controllo di gestione e funzioni del budget [Capitolo/Saggio]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Il contributo discute le funzioni del budget nell'ambito del sistema di controllo di gestione. Si esamina la valenza informativa, a supporto delle decisioni ed organizzativa per migliorare il coordinamento, l'apprendimento organizzativo.

2012 - Dalle risorse al know how esclusivo: Il ruolo della corporate governance nella creazione di valore in un’impresa familiare. [Articolo su rivista]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Although an increasing amount of literature has identified the role of dynamic capabilities as a source of competitive advantage, we still have little knowledge as to how corporate governance may influence their development. This paper addresses how corporate governance practices may be strategically employed to change the firm’s resources and create new knowledge which enables the development of dynamic capabilities in a family firm. Our data show how value creation may result not merely from the possession of unique resources, but from how family members perform their day to day practice of strategy by managing resources which may enable the achievement of dynamic capabilities.

2012 - Entrepreneurial strategies and corporate governance: experiences from the Italian wine industry [Articolo su rivista]
Lazzini, Arianna; DI TOMA, Paolo; Montanari, Stefano
abstract

A distinctive resource typical of family firms, critical in guarantee to family firms long lasting position of competitive advantage is familiness. In previous studies familiness has been defined to characterize the interactions between each family member, the whole family and the business. These interactions leads to systematic synergies with the potential to create competitive advantages or disadvantages for the firm. Family history and local roots can ensure the family business a competitive advantage long lasting and evolutive. Our analysis is focused on the wine industry in Italy and analyzes the case of Barone Ricasoli Spa an estate owned by the family Ricasoli since 1141. We find that the family social capital supports the processes of resources acquisition and promotes the business renewal.

2012 - Family Business Exit and Private Equity Investment Decisions: Governance Implications for Value Creation. [Articolo su rivista]
DI TOMA, Paolo; Montanari, Stefano
abstract

This paper was motivated by the increasing interest in the current debate for the entrepreneurial process in family firms. Little research to date has investigated the family business exit and this topic is mainly considered as a failure for entrepreneurial families. However, when uncertainties arise concerning generational succession, the family business exit may enable ownership transitions facilitating survival and long term value creation strategies. Among the exit options, a private equity buyout may balance the family’s wealth protection and the firm’s future growth. However, which family specific characteristics and strategic needs may affect the exit option still remains a neglected topic. Based on recent research addressing entrepreneurship in family firms and corporate governance literature, this paper develops a case study for investigating the bridging role of private equity buyout for going through strategic transitions in family firms. Findings suggest that a private equity buyout is a governance mechanism which may sustain an entrepreneurial transition by realigning family interests and goals. It may also allow the family commitment for improving organizational capabilities required by an entrepreneurial transition.

2012 - Il governo economico delle imprese [Monografia/Trattato scientifico]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

La ricerca sulla corporate governance si è concentrata, tradizionalmente, sul fenomeno della separazione tra proprietà e controllo che caratterizza le grandi imprese a proprietà diffusa. Nella prospettiva prevalente, obiettivo della corporate governance è la minimizzazione delle inefficienze causate dall’opportunismo manageriale ed il consiglio di amministrazione rappresenta il principale meccanismo di controllo per tutelare gli interessi del soggetto economico. Il diffuso dibattito che si è sviluppato negli ultimi anni ha posto in evidenza la varietà degli assetti proprietari e le differenti implicazioni che ne derivano per le strutture ed i processi con cui si esercita il governo economico delle imprese. Accanto alle tradizionali impostazioni che enfatizzano la funzione protettiva del valore aziendale è maturata una crescente consapevolezza del potenziale influsso della corporate governance sui processi di creazione del valore, per l’elevata interdipendenza con le scelte strategiche delle imprese. La varietà dei contesti influisce sull’efficacia della corporate governance che può essere interpretata in termini di attitudine al soddisfacimento delle esigenze strategiche, così favorendone la realizzazione. Nelle imprese mature e di grandi dimensioni tende a prevalere la funzione di protezione dal rischio di inefficienze causate dai potenziali conflitti d’interesse. Nelle imprese che, invece, si caratterizzano per un’elevata propensione allo sviluppo imprenditoriale, la capacità del sistema di corporate governance di promuovere l’acquisizione di risorse e competenze critiche può divenire un antecedente decisivo per i processi di creazione del valore. La corporate governance assume, inoltre, caratteri originali nelle imprese di piccole e medie dimensioni, poichè gli attributi organizzativi che condizionano la creazione di valore sono compenetrati nell’assetto istituzionale e nei particolari incentivi e modelli di esercizio dell’autorità che le contraddistinguono.

2012 - Il reporting di controllo per la prevenzione delle crisi d'impresa [Capitolo/Saggio]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Lo studio discute l'adattamento del reporting gestionale ai fini della prevenzione delle crisi. Si esaminano gli strumenti del controllo di gestione e dell'analisi di bilancio che possono essere utilizzati dalle imprese per progettare modelli di reporting che favoriscano il tempestivo riconoscimento dei segnali di declino e di crisi.

2012 - L'innovazione nei processi amministrativi delle PMI. Opportunità e vincoli della fatturazione elettronica. [Curatela]
Zavani, Mauro; DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

L’innovazione nelle tecnologie dell’informazione ha assunto un ruo-lo preminente nell’indirizzare l’evoluzione dei sistemi amministrativi. La possibilità di generare e conservare documenti in formato elettronico, la diffusione di Internet e lo sviluppo di tecnologie basate su Internet tra cui, ad esempio, il cloud computing e le applicazioni Sas (Software as a service) hanno introdotto nuove soluzioni per l’automazione e l’esternalizzazione dei processi amministrativi che offrono l’opportunità di significativi incre-menti nella competitività delle imprese. Le nuove applicazioni, più ancora che in passato, costituiscono non unicamente la fonte di potenziali benefici economici, ma esercitano una fondamentale spinta propulsiva alla riprogettazione dei processi che inte-ressano non solo l’amministrazione, ma l’intera organizzazione. L’evoluzione dei sistemi amministrativi diviene così parte di un più perva-sivo cambiamento organizzativo, integrato e combinato con l’innovazione tecnologica dei sistemi informativi. La dematerializzazione della gestione documentale rappresenta una tra le più attuali direttrici di innovazione dei sistemi amministrativi. L’entità dei benefici che possono esserne tratti, sia a livello di sistema eco-nomico complessivo che di singola impresa, ha reso strategica e centrale la diffusione di massa della dematerializzazione nelle iniziative dell’Unione Europea e, conseguentemente, negli interventi normativi degli Stati mem-bri. Anche in Italia il legislatore ha, progressivamente, perfezionato e chia-rito le condizioni ed i requisiti di applicazione, contribuendo a superare un rilevante ostacolo alla sua accessibilità. La prevista obbligatorietà della fat-turazione elettronica nei rapporti commerciali con l’amministrazione pub-blica è un ulteriore e significativo strumento per incentivare la digitalizza-zione dei processi amministrativi nella generalità delle imprese. La migrazione dalla tradizione gestione del documento cartaceo alla digitalizzazione ed automazione dei processi amministrativi è, dunque, una tendenza in atto, più che una opzione di cui le imprese possono discrezio-nalmente avvalersi. Sebbene le prime applicazioni siano state introdotte da circa un ventennio, l’attuale diffusione è ancora limitata, pur evidenziando tassi di crescita divenuti negli ultimi anni sostenuti. Vi hanno fatto ricorso finora, in prevalenza, le grandi imprese attratte dai consistenti recuperi di efficienza immediatamente ritraibili. Le PMI registrano, non solo in Italia, un ritardo nell’introduzione de-gli strumenti di digitalizzazione, nonostante il loro coinvolgimento abbia una valenza cruciale. In primo luogo, costituendo il numero preponderante di operatori in tutti i Paesi industrializzati ed in via di sviluppo, la loro mi-grazione è requisito necessario per ottenere i consistenti risparmi nei siste-mi economici. A livello di singola impresa, la migrazione alla digitalizza-zione ed all’automazione dei processi amministrativi costituisce una rile-vante opportunità per incrementi di efficienza, ma più ancora per la valo-rizzazione e lo sviluppo delle competenze organizzative. L’utilizzo delle tecnologie dell’informazione più innovative permette, infatti, di ridurre l’incidenza del lavoro manuale e ripetitivo e di destinarlo ad attività a più elevato valore aggiunto, basate su più qualificanti conoscenze, contribuen-do anche a superare i limiti nella dotazione di competenze manageriali che, frequentemente, penalizzano le PMI. All’ottimizzazione dei costi può ag-giungersi la capacità della funzione amministrativa di fornire servizi, ulte-riori e qualitativamente superiori, alle funzioni aziendali con cui interagisce e ad interlocutori esterni.

2012 - La corporate governance nelle imprese famigliari [Capitolo/Saggio]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Il contributo esamina la corporate governance nelle imprese familiari per evidenziarne i caratteri specifici rispetto ad altre forme organizzative. Si esaminano le implicazioni dell'assetto proprietario sull'efficienza, in relazione ai particolari incentivi e disincentici che caratterizzano le relazioni professionali tra soggetti legati da relazioni familiari. Si analizzano la composizione ed il ruolo del Consiglio di Amministrazione, evidenziando la valenza di consiglieri non familiari. In considerazione della deriva generazionale, si presentano le holding di gruppo e gli accordi familiari.

2012 - La valutazione delle scelte di informatizzazione della funzione amministrativa delle PMI [Capitolo/Saggio]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

L’analisi dei processi amministrativi è stata condotta con prevalente riferimento al contesto delle grandi imprese, trascurando le specificità che caratterizzano le PMI. Le minori dimensioni, frequentemente, non sottraggono dal confronto con un elevato grado di complessità della gestione e dalla necessità di accedere a soluzioni tecniche e organizzative evolute. L’adozione nei processi amministrativi di strumenti innovativi, per l’elaborazione e la gestione delle informazioni, costituisce un’opportunità potenzialmente rilevante per migliorarne la qualità e l’efficienza, ma occorre verificarne le effettive possibilità di attuazione, dati i vincoli di risorse, competenze e specializzazione organizzativa che contraddistinguono ogni singola impresa. La fatturazione elettronica e, più ampiamente, la dematerializzazione della gestione documentale rappresentano una significativa opportunità per aumentare la produttività e dunque la competitività delle imprese, ma la diffusione è attualmente limitata, in prevalenza, alle imprese di grandi dimensioni. Nelle PMI il passaggio alla dematerializzazione della gestione documentale è stato fino ad ora marginale, sebbene l’evoluzione tecnologica e normativa abbiano consentito condizioni d’accesso più favorevoli, rispetto al recente passato. Obiettivo di questo studio è l’analisi dei criteri che le PMI possono utilizzare per valutare la convenienza economica della migrazione alla fatturazione elettronica ed alla dematerializzazione della gestione documentale.

2012 - Strategic dynamics and corporate governance effectiveness in a family firm. [Articolo su rivista]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

This paper employs a case-study approach to address linkages between corporate governance and a firm’s strategic dynamics. It investigates a family firm which moved from a state of crisis to a renewed growth and profitability stage to analyze how establishing appropriate governance practices may contribute to strategic renewal and value creation. Creating an effective system of corporate governance is a crucial task for all firms, requiring an appropriate balance between accountability and entrepreneurial dimensions to carry out the firm’s strategies. Data reveal how corporate governance variations over time may help a family firm to move through its organizational life cycle, by creating an appropriate fit with the evolving strategic needs.

2010 - The definitional dilemma in family business research: outlines of an ongoing debate [Articolo su rivista]
DI TOMA, Paolo; Montanari, Stefano
abstract

Family business research has been considered as a distinct field from mainstream research. It has been pointed out the lack of a shared theory able to provide a strong conceptual framework, originating following limitations for empirical research. Various definitions of family business have been employed, limiting comparisons and generalizations of findings across studies. Therefore, the first concern researchers need to deal with is the definition of family business, for overcoming a basic limitation of the field of research. This paper aims to highlight, by a literature review, how recent perspectives may represent useful contributions towards theory building and empirical research. Although some uncertainties still remain in terms of trade-off between objective and subjective characteristics, they suggest new directions to address studies for overcoming the definitional dilemma.

2009 - Strategic change and corporate governance adaptation in the context of a family firm [Working paper]
DI TOMA, Paolo; Montanari, Stefano
abstract

Although family firms share many aspects common to all firms, the embeddedness of business relationships in family relationships originate some unique organizational characteristics. Corporate governance is increasingly recognized as a critical organizational factor, but previous research has been mainly focused, in an agency perspective, on large publicly traded companies with dispersed ownership. A little attention has been directed to family firms that may be considered as a theoretically distinct form of governance, originating overlooked needs to develop specified agency models for owner managed or privately held firms, by recognizing their different typologies. Corporate governance has both enterprise and accountability dimensions that need to be effectively balanced to carry out the firm’s strategies. As an example, value creation may be favoured by design differences between boards able to hire skilled directors and boards focused on reducing agency conflicts. The objective of this paper is to develop understanding of how unique characteristics of family firms affect relationships between strategic dynamics and corporate governance. Furthermore, we investigate how changes in the firms’ strategic orientation, depending on differing stages of their life cycle, will require following variations in established corporate governance practices to achieve an appropriate rebalance between accountability and enterprise dimensions.Corporate governance effectiveness stems from its fit with the firm’s strategic needs, with the aim of achieving a suitable balance between accountability and enterprise dimensions. Furthermore, the role of family ownership and management will be explored, addressing how they influence the effectiveness of the corporate governance established arrangements and their conditioning on strategic decision making.Firms commonly vary their strategic orientation passing through different stages of their life cycle and these changes may require appropriate adaptations in corporate governance established practices. The agency perspective emphasizes monitoring and control, but underestimated enterprise role takes relevance along a firm’s evolutionary path, in example gaining knowledge or other resources. Understanding the association between the strategic orientation and corporate governance functions and their consistent changes along the firm’s life cycle is a useful premise to a dynamic view of corporate governance effectiveness and its contribution to value creation. Aiming to explore the value creation dimension of corporate governance, the theoretical framework underpins a resource based perspective to combine strategies and resources in a family business context. This paper develops a longitudinal case-study approach to explore key contingency factors affecting relationships between the firm’s strategic orientation and the corporate governance system along its organizational life cycle. It addresses an Italian family firm which shifted, over the last years, from crisis to growth and then went public but it still remains a family business. It represents an interesting evidence showing changes in its strategic orientation and in its corporate governance system.This paper aims to provide several contributions to the development of knowledge on corporate governance in family firms. First, it extends research on corporate governance pointing out how the value creation dimension of corporate governance, such as strategy and resource role may have become critical along the firm’s life cycle. Second, it focuses how the corporate governance mechanisms may be differently managed to fit with the strategic needs arising from the firm’s organizational life cycle. Furthermore, it explores family business specificities influencing relationships between corporate governance structures and process and the firm’s strategic orientation. In a dynamic view, it will investigate ho

2009 - Strategic orientation and corporate governance: the role of ownership [Articolo su rivista]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Challenging universal perspectives that directed previous mainstream research, this theoretical paper addresses the potential influence of contextual variables on corporate governance. The main purpose is to contribute to the development of recent perspectives investigating the corporate governance effectiveness in terms of fitting into the firm’s strategic orientation. This paper points out how different arrangements may support the enterprise or the accountability function and how differently they work, according to their specific context. Potential influences stemming from ownership structure are then considered, addressing relationships between the firm’s strategic dynamics and corporate governance effectiveness. Understanding the association between the strategic orientation and corporate governance functions and their consistent changes along the firm’s life cycle is a useful premise to a dynamic view of corporate governance effectiveness and its contribution to value creation

2009 - Strategie sociali e controllo dei risultati: l'approccio della Balanced Scorecard [Articolo su rivista]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Firms are increasingly under pressure for their social responsibility and they develop strategies to improve appropriate relationships with their stakeholders. Strategic control systems may be designed, therefore, embracing social aims and pursuing their effective balance with economic and competitive goals. The balanced scorecard may offer a consistent support and its basic structure may be suitably shaped, according to specific perspectives and contextual factors, obtaining an effective control and sustainability.

2009 - The evolutionary path of the family business definition [Working paper]
DI TOMA, Paolo; Montanari, Stefano
abstract

Research on family business achieved a considerable development over the last decades and knowledge increased on the most critical and pervasive topics related to family firms. Nevertheless, studies suffer a lack of a shared theoretical framework (Lindblom & Cohen, 1979) with consequent limitations on empirical research. Family business has been considered, for a long time, a distinct field from mainstream business research and it has been noticed that a generally accepted, rigorous and empirically supported explanation for why family firms exist is still absent (Chua, Chrisman & Chang, 2004). There is not a widely accepted framework for a systematic integration of the different approaches, such as strategic management, organizational theory, sociology, psychology and other disciplines that can contribute to understanding family business (Chrisman, Chua and Sharma, 2005). Recently, relevant efforts have been made to increase the theoretical foundations of the field to overcome limitations shown in previous studies. A main topic is to come through controversy in the definition of a family business (Chrisman, Chua and Sharma, 2003). The absence of common basic theories results in a considerable lack of consistency in family business definition which becomes even more evident if the concept is needed for empirical research. There are, therefore, relevant limitations comparing and generalizing findings across studies, in absence of widely accepted instruments to select samples of homogeneous businesses (Smyrnios, Tanewski and Romano, 1998). The theoretical approach adopted in our analysis is consistent with Lansberg (1983) recently developed by Chua, Chrisman e Sharma (2004), according to the perspective that a family business is a way of being. The family presence influences strategies, firm structures and the ways with which these are realized and implemented, making them different from those of other firms lacking in a family presence. This conceptual framework allows to overcome the lack in clarity between the theoretical explanation of the phenomenon and its observable components, which has been recognized as one of the main limits in previous studies.Although a function of a theoretical definition is to point out the fundamental characters of an observed phenomenon, mainly as an entity or an object, at an operational level a sound definition effectively supports the analysis when it clearly identifies inferential qualities such as measurability, objectivity, and the easiness with which they can be found. The evolutionary path of the family business definition can be explained as a progressive and sometimes indirect process towards the formulation and the identification of two distinct levels: a theoretical one able to capture and to synthesize the core of the phenomenon and the operational one whose objective characteristics are identified in a more precise way up to be measurable. The debate has been recently enriched by the introduction of the F-PEC Scale of Family Influence (Astrachan, Klein and Smyrnios, 2002; Klein, Astrachan and Smyrnios, 2005) where Power, Experience and Culture are considered the prevailing dimensions of the family involvement in and influence on a firm. This model provides an useful instrument to measure the family influence on a business, but not all the matters are undoubtedly solved. The persistent adoption of subjective measures, especially when referring to attitudes, may reproduce ambiguity and risks of tautological definitions where family business is that one which professes itself as such.The purpose of the paper is twofold. The first one is to propose a systematic literature review by the analysis of the theoretical background of the family business definition, according to an evolutionary perspective. It highlights the promising contribution of recent perspectives towards a theoretical framework able to support empirical research. However,

2007 - La dimensione aziendale nei sistemi di pianificazione e controllo [Capitolo/Saggio]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Lo studio approfondisce le criticità connesse alla variabile dimensionale nell'introduzione e funzionamento dei sistemi di pianificazione e controllo.

2005 - Assetti di governo e comunicazione economica delle imprese [Monografia/Trattato scientifico]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

In questo studio si approfondisce il tema dei modelli di governo delle imprese, alla luce della dottrina nazionale e internazionale.Si esamina la teoria del soggetto economico secondo la dottrina economico-aziendale e si illustrano i principali filoni teorici su cui si sono sviluppati gli studi di corporate governance.Inoltre, si discute il ruolo della comunicazione economica nella prospettiva dei modelli di governo, con particolare riferimento al tema dell'accountability.

2005 - Comunicazione economica ed efficacia dei sistemi di corporate governance [Working paper]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Lo studio discute il ruolo della comunicazione economica nel favorire l'efficacia dei sistemi di corporate governance. Si considera la varietà delle classi di interlocutori che sviluppano relazioni con l'impresa ed il conseguente fabbisogno informativo cui occorre rispondere. Il paper propone modelli di comunicazione che integrino informazioni economico-finanziarie e sociali per una più consapevole gestione delle relazioni nel governo economico.

2005 - Controllo di gestione e funzioni del budget [Working paper]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Il paper esamina gli strumenti di reporting per il funzionamento dei sistemi di controllo di gestione e si focalizza sul budget, esaminandone sia la dimensione informativa che comportamentale.

2005 - Il ruolo della comunicazione economica nei sistemi di corporate governance [Capitolo/Saggio]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

In questo lavoro si esamina il ruolo della comunicazione economica nell'ambito dei sistemi di corporate governance, con particolare riferimento alla funzione informativa del bilancio d'esercizio. Si discute la valenza dell'accountability ed il problema dell'efficacia della comunicazione economica nella gestione delle relazioni con gli interlocutori aziendali.

2005 - Il soggetto economico nelle aziende di produzione [Monografia/Trattato scientifico]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Lo studio esamina gli assetti istituzionali nei modelli a struttura proprietaria aperta, chiusa e ristretta, discutendone le peculiarità. Si affronta il tema del soggetto economico nell'ambito dei modelli di governo economico e nel quadro delle relazioni con la varietà degli stakeholder.

2005 - Relazioni istituzionali e accountability nel governo delle imprese [Articolo su rivista]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Il concetto di accountability è stato considerato, prevalentemente, nelle relazioni tra l'impresa e gli azionisti, in dipendenza di modelli interpretativi della corporate governance ispirati alle relazioni d'agenzia. Altre prospettive hanno evidenziato la crescente rilevanza e la maggiore estensione dell'interazione tra l'impresa ed i suoi interlocutori, introducendo la necessità di ricomprendere nella rendicontabilità dell'impresa elementi informativi coerenti con la più ampia gamma degli interessi degli interlocutori. Nel modello di governo adottato dall'impresa l'accountability non rappresenta semplicemente un insieme di informazioni che assolve ad obblighi previsti dalle fonti di regolamentazione , ma si inserisce nella ricerca di legittimazione sociale, quale strumento per il governo delle relazioni con gli interlocutori critici nell'ambiente di riferimento.

2004 - Meccanismi di controllo istituzionale nelle aziende e ruolo dell'organo di governo [Articolo su rivista]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Il ruolo dell’organo di governo è inteso in modo non univoco nel dibattito sui modelli di governo delle imprese e le prerogative che gli sono attribuite, così come la sua efficacia come meccanismo di coordinamento, risentono della varietà di condizioni socio-economiche che caratterizzano il contesto di riferimento. I modelli di governo che costituiscono i principali schemi interpretativi, in particolare quelli a controllo del mercato e relazionale, evidenziano, nelle rispettive caratterizzazioni, elementi di inefficacia ancora non superati che contribuiscono ad incrementare le aspettative sul ruolo esercitato dall’organo di direzione. La riduzione delle prerogative dell’organo di governo alla funzione di controllo, talora intesa in termini di formale ratifica delle decisioni assunte, di fatto, dai soli membri esecutivi o dai dirigenti di livello più elevato, affermata in letteratura tradizionalmente nel contesto dei modelli a controllo del mercato, mostra la sua insufficienza nel garantire il corretto funzionamento dei mercati e l’efficacia degli assetti istituzionali. Si evidenzia l’urgenza di riaffermare il ruolo di indirizzo e di coordinamento della gestione che spetta all’organo di governo, prevedendone la partecipazione diretta all’indirizzo strategico dell’impresa. Ciò rappresenta, inoltre, la necessaria premessa per una maggiore efficacia nei compiti di controllo.

2001 - L'armonizzazione contabile internazionale e le prospettive di evoluzione europea [Articolo su rivista]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Il bilancio d'esercizio costituisce il principale strumento della comunicazione economico-finanziaria rivolta all'esterno e deve assolvere al soddisfacimento delle esigenze informative di tutte le potenziali categorie dei suoi destinatari. Il processo di armonizzazione contabile internazionale, teso al conseguimento di un corpus di principi contabili di generale accettazione evidenzia una forte convergenza verso l'approccio statunitense, piuttosto che un contemperamento delle culture contabili nazionali. In questo studio si esamina il processo di armonizzazione privilegiato dallo IASC e si evidenziano i possibili ostacoli legati alle differenze esistenti nelle tradizioni contabili dei differenti Paesi.

2001 - La statuizione dei principi contabili di generale accettazione negli Stati Uniti [Working paper]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Lo studio esamina il quadro di riferimento concettuale dei principi contabili statunitensi ed i criteri alla base della loro statuizione. Si analizza il processo dei formazione dei principi contabili in relazione alla cultura contabile statunitense e si discutono i caratteri di rilevanza e attendibilità.

2001 - La valutazione dei risultati nelle aziende composte pubbliche [Working paper]
DI TOMA, Paolo
abstract

Lo studio approfondisce il tema della valutazione dei risultati nelle aziende composte pubbliche. Si discute il principio di economicità in considerazione delle specificità delle amministrazioni pubbliche e si esaminano i modelli di misurazione dei risultati.