Geopolitics and business: Alec Ross guides Global MBA students at BBS through global challenges

12 February 2025

At a time of profound shifts in global power dynamics, Bologna Business School strengthens its commitment to training leaders capable of tackling worldwide challenges. This vision is embodied in the new Geoeconomics & Geopolitics course, launched by a prominent figure in the international landscape: Alec Ross.

A Distinguished Adjunct Professor at BBS for several years, Ross inaugurated the course within the Global MBA with a keynote lecture attended by a diverse audience of international professionals. His ability to weave together geopolitical analysis, economic trends, and technological innovation provided students with a unique perspective on the forces shaping the future of global business.

The course is characterized by its practical approach, focusing on real-world case studies that illustrate the direct impact of geopolitical tensions on business operations. From managing supply chains amid international sanctions to technological competition among global powers and the emerging challenges of energy security, these are the key topics that Global MBA students are exploring.

On the occasion of this inaugural lecture, we had the opportunity to interview Alec Ross to gain his insights on the future of geoeconomic dynamics and the essential skills for tomorrow’s leaders.

 

What are the main geoeconomic challenges that future business leaders will face?

I believe that advancements in technology and science will continue to reshape economies at an increasingly rapid pace. There is a crucial geographic dimension to this, with the United States and China investing far more than Europe in a significantly less regulated environment. Business leaders must therefore decide how and where to allocate their research and commercialization assets. Should they diversify geographically the locations where they conduct research and manufacture their products? And if so, where? In the United States, in Asia, or should they concentrate on Italy and Europe as a whole?

 

How is geopolitics influencing global business strategies?

We are entering a new geopolitical order that is significantly impacting economies worldwide and, consequently, business strategies. Anyone who claims that globalization is over is mathematically illiterate. Global trade flows continue at exceptionally high levels. What has changed is that geopolitics is now interfering with the free movement of goods and services in a way we haven’t seen since the 1980s, with rising tariffs, sanctions, and a reorganization of supply chains. This demands that business leaders become far more agile at every stage of their operations, from research and development to customer delivery and every step in between.

 

What skills are essential for navigating geopolitical uncertainty in business?

A proactive approach is key: those who can act decisively amid volatility will gain a competitive edge. Inaction is not an option. Therefore, the necessary skills include agility, flexibility, and resilience. It is crucial to be able to plan and define long-term strategies while also adjusting short-term tactics. The inherent challenge lies in balancing short- and long-term goals, and the ability to manage this tension is a fundamental trait of any global leader. This requires interdisciplinary expertise and continuous learning. Leaders must constantly challenge their assumptions about markets and maintain the mental flexibility to adapt their strategies based on new information.