This book is intended as a
tribute to Gianluca Spina, the influential and inspiring Professor
of Business Management & Organization and Supply Chain Management at the
School of Management of Politecnico di Milano, who very sadly passed away early
in 2015. It brings together seven of his most important papers, published in
renowned international journals, and supplements these papers with insightful
commentaries from friends and colleagues who highlight key messages and values
of enduring validity. The selected papers offer a clear sense of Spina's
research journey over the years and cover the main research streams that
distinguished his work. They have also been chosen on account of their high
impact, as reflected by the number of citations received, and to represent the most
important research collaborations that Spina had established within Italy
and abroad. An introductory chapter relates his research to major developments
in the field of Manufacturing and Supply Chain Strategy and also outlines the
very important contribution that Gianluca Spina made to Management Education.