Gianluca Spina’s contribution to manufacturing and supply chain strategy research and management education

The chapter presents a professional profile of Gianluca Spina, summarizing his contribution to both research and management education. Gianluca’s research journey started in the field of manufacturing strategy, focusing on JIT first and then on innovative manufacturing paradigms. Subsequently he extended his interests to customer-supplier partnerships, focusing in particular on codesign, and supply chain management, with a focus on Internet technologies and global supply chains. Finally he concentrated on purchasing management, with a focus on purchasing strategy and the theoretical development of the discipline. His main traits as researcher are also presented. On the education side, Gianluca strongly contributed to the development of the Management Engineering degree at Politecnico di Milano during his whole career, and also at National Level as President of the Italian Association of Management Engineering. Besides, he has led MIP, the Business School of Politecnico di Milano, in its evolution from a small, local school to a large, international player, recognized and accredited by the main international institutions, capable of introducing significant innovations on the market. Finally, Gianluca’s legacy is presented.