Globalising Europe

Previous Academic Background

EDHEC benefits from an extensive business network throughout France and Europe with companies and consultants who hire our students and provide professors with action research topics at the heart of our learning model. Excursions are planned to take advantage of local partnerships on the French Riviera and programme themes are woven into the numerous question/answer possibilities afforded during these special up-close business visits. 

Summer courses are designed to integrate our corporate partners so that course contents directly apply to the discussion of business strategy and brand development. Some smaller business excursions are planned but multinational players, in particular, provide a focus allowing for an in-depth view of the business challenges that the programme seeks to investigate.

This year's sponsors and partners for the action-based research learning design are the multinational players located right on the French Riviera. On-site visits allow students to ask questions to see operations first-hand and observe business in action.

Sociétés MANE (Châteauneuf, France): In 1871, Victor MANE started producing fragrant materials from regional flowers and plants. Since then, the small distillery which grew successfully to become one of the leading Flavours and Fragrances  companies worldwide has continually been run by the MANE family.

Victor’s sons Eugène and Gabriel modernised and developed the business internationally. Maurice MANE took over from his father Eugène in 1959. Under his leadership, the Company increased its production capacity, set up research and analytical  laboratories, diversified into flavours for the food industry and developed its international network of subsidiaries.

In 1995, Maurice MANE retired to become Chairman of the Supervisory Board, while his eldest son Jean was appointed President of the MANE Group, and his other son Michel, President of the Americas Region. MANE employs 5000 people in 34      countries, 25 Manufacturing sites and 43 R&D Centres.

The museum of modern art of the city of Nice is considered one of the major art attractions of the Riviera.  Housing contemporary art from around the world, offering special expositions and hosting artistic events, it is the centrepiece of art and architecture for Nice.  Summer programme students work on topical issues of interest to the sustainability of the art museum within the city of Nice ranging from marketing, digital strategy, corporate communication, sponsorship and fundraising.

Grasse expertise provides business-to-business services for local companies and multinationals operating in aroma and essence markets.  Located in the world’s perfume capital, Grasse Experts bring together major fragrance brands like Fragonard as well as research laboratories conducting sustainability, pharmaceutical and environmental investigations based on regional flora. A key component in the production line linking cosmetic and perfume innovation to the industries that bring these essences to homes and businesses across the world, Grasse Experts is a cutting-edge think tank that matters in the aroma industry and in the national centres of French excellence.

Elis industries is a multinational service provider who has based its excellence and experience on acquired competency in the hotel, tourism, catering and restauration industries across the world.  Services range from housekeeping,  canteen services, and gourmet food to entire provision service chains for five-star hotels.  A major player in France’s tourism industry, Elis is a top employer for services around the world.

EDHEC Business School professors and students interact with the city of Nice on projects related to urban development, the promotion of the arts, the monetization of cultural products and services and the sustainability objectives of France’s second tourist destination.  Nice is the location of France’s second largest airport and caters to an international population of tourist arrivals among Europe’s most demanded.