Innovation Management: An Immersive Day at the Heart of Transformation

Kedge Business School

opened the doors of its Luminy campus to 90 students for a special day dedicated to innovation management. Students, faculty, and professionals came together to exchange ideas, learn, and reflect on the major challenges and strategies related to innovation. Guided by experts, participants enjoyed a rich program combining theory and practice in a studious yet friendly atmosphere.

A Tailor-Made Program to Understand and Apply Innovation

Starting at 8 a.m., participants were welcomed in a warm atmosphere over coffee. Claude Spano, Director of Corporate Innovation Relations at Kedge, and Marie-Dominique Franco, Project Manager at the Institute of Cancer and Immunology (ICI) at Aix-Marseille University (AMU), set the tone for the day by emphasizing the importance of innovation in a constantly changing world.

The morning was then devoted to a captivating lecture led by Paul Gimet, a professor at Kedge. 

The students explored the fundamentals of innovation:

  • Definition and Strategic Challenges: Understanding why innovation is much more than just something new—it is an essential driver of an organization’s survival and growth.

  • The historical evolution of innovation: An enlightening retrospective, ranging from traditional linear models to modern approaches toopen innovation.

     

A gourmet break and small-group collaboration

At noon, discussions continued during a convivial lunch on the campus terrace. The groups formed for the next day’s case studies had the opportunity to get to know one another and exchange perspectives, fostering a collaborative dynamic essential to the spirit of the day.

 

Practical case studies to reinforce the concepts

The afternoon immersed participants in concrete and strategic themes:

  • Fostering Innovation: Examining the key elements of managing innovative organizations.
  • Adopting innovation: Analyzing the role of marketing, strategies to overcome resistance to change, and ways to accelerate the adoption of new products or services.

An Inspiring Closing

The day concluded with a lively discussion between participants and organizers. This closing session provided an opportunity to reflect on the highlights and explore concrete ways to apply what they had learned to their professional careers.

 

A Key Event for Tomorrow’s Leaders

This day was much more than just an academic event: it marked a step toward a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and challenges of innovation. Thanks to a seamless blend of theory, discussion, and hands-on practice, participants left with practical tools and a clear vision of their role in an ever-changing world.