The aim is to innovate in action research methodologies to foster sustainable development in Latin America.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

On May 15, EGADE Business School—Tecnológico de Monterrey and VIVA Idea presented the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainable Futures during the second edition of EGADE Action Week, marking a renewed commitment to sustainability and innovation in business education.

This event underscored the critical role of academia in redefining business towards a positive, lasting impact in Latin America.

Osmar Zavaleta, associate dean of Research at the Undergraduate Business School and EGADE Business School—Tecnológico de Monterrey, highlighted the importance of this strategic collaboration with VIVA Idea, which focuses on innovating action research methodologies to promote sustainable development in the region.

Zavaleta explained that the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainable Futures at EGADE Business School is aligned with the school's purpose: “To rethink the future of business to have a positive impact on the sustainable development of Latin America.”

Urs Jäger, CEO of VIVA Idea, emphasized the urgency of integrating sustainable approaches into the education of future business leaders and proposed a model that combines high-level research with practical applications.

“If we want to see the future, we need to start preparing today," he commented, inviting people to implement innovative strategies through active collaboration.

The event included an expert panel, moderated by Felipe Symmes, professor and leader of the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainable Futures at EGADE Business School, and with the participation of Alejandra Rivero, director of Sustainability and Social Responsibility at Banregio, and Gabriel Rivera, CEO of Altitude.

The panelists discussed how academia and business practices can interconnect to expand their social and environmental impact.

Symmes stressed the importance of integrating impact-oriented research into academic programs.

For her part, Rivero discussed how banks can contribute to women’s financial inclusion and to measuring the social impact of their products and services.

She also pointed out how training and methodologies developed by international organizations have been key in measuring the social impact of banking practices.

“The UN has developed specific methodologies for banks, which help us understand how to measure the impact we are having on our clients,” the director stated, emphasizing the need for greater collaboration between academia and banking.

Meanwhile, Rivera shared his background as a social entrepreneur and the challenges he has faced when integrating sustainable and social business concepts.

The entrepreneur described how a lack of familiarity with social entrepreneurship initially complicated his interactions with academia and how specialized programs have been pivotal for his development.

The presentation of the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainable Futures at EGADE Business School drew attention to the importance of collaboration between academia and the business sector to promote practical and innovative solutions that address current social and environmental challenges.

A conference and panel with philanthropy leaders and experts took place at EGADE Business School in Monterrey.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

As part of the second edition of EGADE Action Week, philanthropy leaders and experts gathered on May 14 in Monterrey to discuss the future and transformation of philanthropic initiatives in the 21st century.

Melissa Berman, recognized internationally for her leadership in philanthropy, delivered the keynote address, which was followed by a panel discussion with prominent sector specialists.

In his welcome message, broadcast live from Budapest, Hungary, Horacio Arredondo, dean of EGADE Business School - Tecnológico de Monterrey, stressed the importance of this event as a vital space to inspire leaders and promote the adoption of responsible business practices that will generate a positive, sustainable impact on society and the environment.

“Our EGADE Action Week is part of our strategy to invite the community, inside and outside the classroom, to participate, generating learning and collaboration opportunities from a variety of perspectives,” the Dean said, underscoring the transformational and impact mission of the week of activities.  

PHILANTHROPIC LEADERSHIP

In her keynote address, “Philanthropic Leadership for the 21st Century,” Berman explored the contemporary landscape of global philanthropy, highlighting the opportunities and challenges for leadership in this sector.

“There is a lack of trust. So the challenge for philanthropic leadership in the 21st century is to build the trust that will allow philanthropy to fulfill its potential,” she commented.

The former CEO and founding president of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors explained that 80% of donations are centered on just 15% of organizations. Many donors prefer to invest in entities with well-established reputations to minimize risks and protect their own image. She believes that this trend limits the potential of the philanthropy sector.

She also discussed how emerging trends, such as the increase in global awareness and reach, the use of new tools and approaches, and a deeper commitment by donors, are remodeling philanthropy.  

Berman emphasized how philanthropic leadership can foster systemic change by creating more knowledge resources, improving communication between sectors, and strengthening NGOs.

She also highlighted the pivotal role of university centers in fomenting rigorous and independent research, connecting scholars from different fields, and serving as a reliable bridge between theory and practice.

PERSPECTIVES FROM ACADEMIA AND PRACTICE

The panel “New Trends in Strategic Social-Impact Philanthropy in Latin America” enjoyed the participation of Lorena Guillé-Laris, director of FEMSA Foundation; Magdalena Aninat, director of the Enterprise and Society Center at the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI) Business School; and Rodrigo Villar, associate researcher at the UAI CIESC and CEFIS. Luciana Manfredi, a research professor at EGADE Business School, served as the moderator.

Aninat explained how universities in Latin America can support philanthropy through research and informed dialogue, thereby driving collaboration and trust within civil society.

For his part, Villar complemented this vision with examples of how knowledge production in universities can shape and acknowledge the third sector, thus promoting a culture of active, committed philanthropy.

Based on her experience at the FEMSA Foundation, Guillé-Laris focused on the cruciality of collaboration between academia, civil society, and the private sector in achieving long-term philanthropic goals. She highlighted the importance of combining immediate, tangible actions with far-reaching, evidence-based, and science-based strategies to address systemic problems.

Manfredi closed the panel by highlighting the need for collaboration and inclusion to tackle complex social challenges, stressing that “modern philanthropy must be agile, informed and collaborative, working hand in hand with each and every sector to drive real and sustainable change in society.”

The panel’s collective vision reflects a renewed commitment to philanthropy that not only contributes financially but also actively participates in building solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time.

The event concluded with a call to action for philanthropy leaders to use innovative and collaborative approaches to build a fairer, more equitable future, emphasizing the need for collaboration and adaptation to the contemporary challenges of global philanthropy.

The second edition of EGADE Action Week started on May 13 and ended on May 17, offering a variety of activities in Monterrey, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Querétaro, with the purpose of inspiring and preparing business leaders and the community to embrace sustainability as a fundamental pillar in the development of successful businesses.

Cristian Granados and Felipe Symmes present their new book during the second edition of EGADE Action Week.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Frugal innovation can be key to addressing challenges such as poverty and climate change in Latin America, as explained by Cristian Granados and Felipe Symmes, research professors at EGADE Business School - Tecnológico de Monterrey, during the presentation of their book, Haz más con menos: Los 6 principios de innovación frugal (Do More With Less: the 6 Principles of Frugal Innovation).

The event took place on May 13 at the Hotel W in Polanco, Mexico City, where the coauthors described how the approach addressed in their book makes it possible to develop sustainable, high-quality, and affordable solutions.

“The approach consists of doing more with less, simplifying and acting with flexibility,” they specified during the presentation that formed part of the second edition of EGADE Action Week.

Granados, coauthor and academic, explained that the term ‘mexicanadas’ (a typical Mexican way of doing things) reflects a creative adaptation to specific problems, resulting in genuinely innovative solutions that have demonstrated their effectiveness in limited-resource contexts.

“This is an example of frugal innovation that we can observe in collaboration, creativity, and circular economy practices throughout the region,” he added.

The book, published by Ediciones Paidós, presents practical examples and ideas that follow six key principles for innovation in Latin America, including the creation of sustainable solutions and the co-creation of consumer value.

“Frugal innovation not only addresses the needs at the base of the pyramid, but it also comprises a disruptive strategy that can gradually replace market leaders with simple, affordable solutions,” Granados stated.

Symmes, coauthor and leader of the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainable Futures at EGADE Business School, commented on the institution's role in inspiring companies to create solutions better adapted to Latin America's local realities rather than importing models that have not solved crucial problems such as poverty and climate change.

Prominent guests who attended the event included Ewelina Rodriguez Leal, Director of Innovation at Grupo Salinas, and Andre Luiz Soresini, General Director of Vaccines for Mexico at Sanofi, who enriched the discussion with their perspectives and experiences in the field of corporate innovation.

Activities range from conferences and workshops to lectures and book presentations, all designed to promote the adoption of responsible and sustainable business practices.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey is gearing up for the second edition of EGADE Action Week, which will be held from May 13 to 17, aiming to inspire and raise awareness among business leaders and the community about the importance of transforming business for sustainable impact.

In 2024, the initiative will expand with various activities, including virtual formats, in Monterrey, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Querétaro.

The agenda for EGADE Action Week is divided into four sections: Action Breaks, exclusive to EGADE Business School students; Action Spaces, open to the community; Action Voices, targeted at EGADE alumni; and Action Day, exclusively for EGADE Business School students, professors, and collaborators.

All activities are designed to enrich participants with innovative ideas and practical, effective strategies to impact the business world positively. Highlights include:

On May 13, in Mexico City, the book "Do More With Less: The 6 Principles of Frugal Innovation" will be presented by EGADE Business School professors Felipe Symmes and Cristian Granados, who co-authored the work.

On May 14, in Monterrey, the keynote conference "Philanthropy in the 21st Century: Global and Latin American Perspectives" will be delivered by Melissa Berman, Founding President and former CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, followed by the panel "New Trends in Strategic Philanthropy for Social Impact in Latin America" featuring Lorena Guillé-Laris, Executive Director of Fundación FEMSA; Magdalena Aninat, Director of the Business and Society Center at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez Business School (UAI); Rodrigo Villar, Associate Researcher at CIESC and CEFIS at UAI, and moderated by Luciana Manfredi, Research Professor at EGADE Business School.

On May 15, in Monterrey, the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Sustainable Futures Chair will be presented, led by Urs Jäger, CEO of VIVA Idea, Felipe Symmes, research professor and chair leader at EGADE Business School, and a panel of experts.

On May 16, in Monterrey, the book "Abundance Capitalism" will be presented by its author, Boyd Cohen, a professor at EGADE Business School.

On May 17, in Monterrey, the EGADE Volunteer Day will take place, where EGADE Business School students, professors, and staff will be able to empower CBTIS students by providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to become change agents in their communities.

Additionally, from May 13 to 17, during EGADE Business School's class breaks in Monterrey, Santa Fe, Guadalajara, and Querétaro, the Action Breaks will be held with workshops designed to encourage students to reflect on sustainable development in collaboration with experts from Dilo en señas, Maoli, Industria Circular MX, Archer Integrated Risk Management, and Rincón Verde.

Visit egadeactionweek.com for more details on the complete agenda for EGADE Action Week 2024 and to register for the different activities.

The first edition of EGADE Action Week, held in April 2023, proved its relevance by winning the Best CSR and Sustainability Initiative award at the AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards 2024, highlighting EGADE Business School's commitment to promoting sustainable and responsible business practices globally.

This recognition demonstrates EGADE's ongoing commitment to the highest educational standards in its EGADE MBA and Master in Business Management programs.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey has been reaccredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA), one of the leading authorities in postgraduate business education, for a new five-year period.

With this, EGADE Business School reaffirms its position in the elite of business schools, maintaining its "Triple Crown" of international accreditations awarded by AMBA, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

These three accreditations are the most important in their field globally, and only 1% of the world's most prestigious business schools have achieved their recognition.

Horacio Arredondo, Dean of EGADE Business School, noted that AMBA's reaccreditation recognizes the high level of the EGADE MBA and the Master in Business Management programs and evidences the quality and potential of the community of students, alumni, academics, and administrative staff.

According to AMBA's rigorous evaluation criteria, only programs that demonstrate the highest standards of teaching, curriculum design, career development, and employability, among others, are accredited.

"The AMBA evaluation panel has recognized several outstanding aspects of our School, including the advances and growth in our Strategic Plan EGADE 2030, the renewal of our purpose and vision to remain as a leading School in Latin America, and the commitment and enthusiasm of our academic community," added the Dean.

The reaccreditation of EGADE Business School for a new five-year period, the maximum possible term of accreditation, underscores its position as an avant-garde institution in the business education field in Mexico and Latin America.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

The Associate Dean of Faculty at EGADE Business School, José Ernesto Amorós Espinosa, is one of 22 business school faculty honored by AACSB International (AACSB)—the world's largest business education alliance—as the 2024 Class of Influential Leaders.

The annual initiative recognizes notable alums and faculty from AACSB-accredited business schools whose work inspires positive change in the business world and society.

This year's class features faculty who are making an impact through their research, and Amorós Espinosa received the distinction from AACSB for its work impacting Entrepreneurship.

In addition to his role as EGADE's Associate Dean of Faculty, Amorós is the leader of Tec's Entrepreneurship and Innovation with Impact research group.

As an entrepreneurship and new business development expert, he has written over 50 papers, published in major international journals, and co-authored over 30 monographs on entrepreneurial dynamics.

Through his work with the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) project, Amorós has participated in evaluating pro-entrepreneurship public policies in different countries. He has also helped the Ibero-American scholar community enhance the relevance of applied management research.

"This recognition granted to Amorós is a testament to his commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship and the development of new businesses. His research has contributed significantly to the understanding and practice of entrepreneurship, as well as to the development of entrepreneurship education, not only in Mexico but also in Latin America and the world," said Horacio Arredondo, dean of EGADE Business School.

Lily Bi, president and CEO of AACSB, highlighted: "Amorós' work shows the potential of research in business schools to address today's critical challenges, generating knowledge that promotes real change in the world."

Now in its ninth year, AACSB's Influential Leaders member spotlight program highlights the value that business schools bring to business and society—whether through the alums who have used their business education to improve the industries and communities they serve or the faculty leading positive impact through their research.

All faculty from this year's class are from one of AACSB's more than 1,000 accredited business schools worldwide. They exemplify the vital role of business school faculty in developing new knowledge that provides timely and relevant solutions for business and societal challenges.

RESEARCH WITH A POSITIVE IMPACT

Amorós is committed to creating a positive impact by promoting entrepreneurship and innovation for local development.

In addition to his research, he has been cooperating as an advisor for the Association of Entrepreneurs of Mexico (ASEM) to develop relevant policy-oriented initiatives that help improve entrepreneurship ecosystems and monitor best practices in new business dynamics.

His work with the GEM project has also influenced the design of public policies for entrepreneurship. GEM is a diagnostic tool for public policymakers to promote a favorable environment for new businesses, allowing them to provide solutions to the most challenging social problems.

Amoros has participated in the evaluation of pro-entrepreneurship public policies in several countries and offered project recommendations to improve their business environment. This work aims to help small and medium enterprises significantly impact their communities' development.

For example, Amorós co-authored a report titled "Challenges and Opportunities for the Incorporation of Companies in Mexico: An Analysis of Commercial Companies," which was prepared by Tecnológico de Monterrey with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and in collaboration with ASEM.

Specifically, the study focused on simplified stock companies and offered recommendations for simplification in incorporating other commercial companies.

Amorós also participated with other researchers in the "Opportunity Amid Disruption" study by GEM. In it, he emphasizes the critical need to transform business according to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to protect the planet and ensure the well-being of present and future generations.

Among other recognitions, Amorós has been awarded the 2023 Rómulo Garza Research and Innovation Award in the Scientific Articles category.

More information about Amorós' research impact and publication can be found here.

The complete list of AACSB's 22 Influential Leaders 2024 can be found here.

They attend workshops at SMU, visit the Mexico Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, and explore business strategies at companies like F&N Foods and the ARTC.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Students of the EGADE - W. P. Carey Executive MBA participated from March 10 to 16 in an International Practicum in Singapore, enhancing their understanding of business integration between Latin America and Asia.

This immersive experience, supported by the Embassy of Mexico in Singapore, facilitated encounters with more than 40 companies and key entities such as Enterprise Singapore and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise, highlighted Juan Enciso, the program director.

🙌🏽 Our Executive MBA students embarked on an enriching International Practicum in #Singapore.

This journey included visits to institutions like @sgmxcham and @sgSMU, to explore insights on Asia business landscape. 🌏 pic.twitter.com/I5GH6Jjz7H

— EGADE Business School (@egade) March 26, 2024

“This exchange not only strengthened our ties with the Asian market but also allowed us to understand firsthand the innovations and trends shaping the future of business," added the academic leader.

The activities included workshops at Singapore Management University (SMU), visits to the Singapore-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, and business meetings with sector leaders like F&N Foods and the Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC), which allowed them to immerse themselves in Singapore's dynamic business ecosystem.

The participation of women in leadership positions in Latin America is still low, though it is increasing, experts warn.

By SOFÍA VALVERDE ZAMORA | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Inclusive leadership, gender biases, and extended maternity and paternity leaves, among other topics, were discussed in the “Inclusion and Leadership” webinar on March 20th, which was part of the EGADE Future Forum series.

The session featured Lourdes Ocampo, academic leader of the executive program Women Leading Organizations at EGADE Business School, and Eduardo Bolio, Senior Partner at the McKinsey Madrid Office.

The expert emphasized the importance of addressing leadership without gender distinction.

He pointed out that "Leadership is the ability of a person to mobilize constructively a team of resources, people, or materials to achieve a very specific goal."

Bolio also broke down the prevailing leadership styles in the business context, noting a tendency among women towards more collaborative and empathetic approaches, in contrast with the more direct and populist tactics observed in men.

For her part, Ocampo highlighted the tangible effects of diversity in executive leadership.

“Organizations' revenue increases when there is a higher percentage of women in these high-level positions,” Ocampo stated.

Despite the tangible improvements that inclusion can bring to company results, Bolio stressed that the participation of women in leadership positions in Latin America is still scarce, though it is on the rise.

REVISIT THE WEBINAR