Introduction to a Symposium on Broadening the Application of Performance Management

The Italian Academy of Management (Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA)), which was founded in Bologna during July 1813, is one of the oldest academic societies in the world. On the occasion of celebrating its bicentenary, the AIDEA held a conference in Lecce, Italy, during September 2013 for AIDEA members and international scholars to present their research within six major areas: Economia Aziendale, Ragioneria ed Economia Aziendale in Italia, Accounting, Management & Organization, Public Management, and Banking & Finance. The theme of the conference—The Firm’s Role in the Economy: Does a Growth-Oriented Business Model Exist?—was in response to the global crisis that has raised new questions and challenges that scholars are trying to resolve, including how academic and professional studies can provide strategies on helping firms and markets contribute to economic growth. In order to support the conference theme, the performance management track focused in part on how organizational and interinstitutional performance management within the context of public administration can support sustainable economic and community growth.