Anecdotic evidence shows that companies that have a “deep purpose”, that is, a strongly felt and shared emotional commitment to a higher, value-laden aspiration that justifies that value-creating activities of the company, have strategic and innovation outcomes that are superior and that last longer than those companies who don’t have “deep purpose”. However, there is only very limited research on this topic. The research question that informs this thesis project is: “How does “deep purpose” influence innovation projects in companies?”. The objective of this thesis project is to unearth the antecedents, enablers, constraining factors, processes and outcomes at multiple levels of analysis that link purpose and innovation management.

The project will employ a qualitative multiple case study method on a number of “deep purpose” companies, using primary (interviews) and secondary data.

To apply, please send an email with your CV and course marks transcript to: luca.manelli@polimi.it

Application deadline: October 28 2022