SANT’ANNA school’s management students explore the enel innovation hub. the impact of design thinking on the open innovation ecosystem
The Enel Group’s Innovation Hub in Pisa welcomed students from Sant’Anna School Master’s program in Innovation Management to discuss the role of design thinking as a methodology for solving complex problems using a human-centered approach to innovation.
Innovation is regarded as the central process driving sustainability and economic growth. In addition to driving global sustainable growth, innovation relies on communications and results dissemination, which are seen as a strategic asset. As highlighted by Nicola Rossi, as the person responsible for Enel’s Global Thermal Generation Innovability, the impact of innovation activities is crucial to ensure the long-term sustainability.
Enel’s business leaders and managers have adapted design thinking as a part of their company’s innovation process and the Sant’Anna School entrepreneurial students got involved into business strategy formulation and innovation process that emphasizes collaboration, internal and external knowledge sharing.
The Enel Group’s Innovation Hub event in Pisa focused on industrial partnerships and on the future of energy. In May 2019, Enel launched its latest gateway to open innovation in Boston following Tel Aviv, San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, Santiago, Madrid, Catania, Milano, and Pisa. Enel’s partnerships aim to develop collaborations with the world’s most promising startups and tech incubators innovation ecosystems that will cooperate with the Enel Group Global Thermal Division.
By attending the workshop organized by Sant’Anna School Professors Alberto Di Minin and Andrea Piccaluga (Innovation Management and Business Dept.), students and start up company Echoes representatives turned their ideas into impactful solutions. Enel’s managers provided students and attendees with an invaluable insight into business real data to increase efficiency and improve innovation for creating new value.
Enel is a multinational power company and a leading integrated player in the global power, gas and renewables markets. Its Open Innovation successful model has increased efficiency in the value chain, acquired additional knowledge, complementary resources, and competitive advantages. It emerged as a powerful tool to connect people and ideas with the aim of boosting new solutions that generate a positive impact in the sector.
