Diego Jannace

My research investigates whether entrepreneurs and managers can improve their ability to make strategic decisions under uncertainty by adopting a scientific approach based on the formulation of rigorous theories tested with data. I am especially interested in how a scientific approach improves entrepreneurial decision-making through more parsimonious theories and focused experiments. In line with the “Entrepreneurs-as-Scientists” stream of research, my core proposition is indeed that clarity and parsimony of the business theories is one of the mechanisms, embedded in the scientific approach, which explain the positive effect of a scientific training on start-ups’ performance and pivoting behavior. The overall objective of my research is to study and test empirically why and when adopting a rigorous and more parsimonious approach to decision-making can lead to superior strategic outcomes.

PUBLISHED PAPERS

• Jannace, D. & Burt, R. S. (2024) “Contingent Bridge Supervision: New Evidence and Cautions for Network Theory”. Social Networks, 78, 253-264
• Coali, A., Frosi, C., Jannace, D., Kazami, S. & Pandey, A. (2025) “Introducing Causal Reasoning into Entrepreneurial Pedagogy and Practice”. In A. Agrawal, A. Camuffo, A. Gambardella, J. S. Gans, E. Scott, & S. Stern (Eds.), Bayesian entrepreneurship. MIT Press.
   

WORKING PAPERS

• Camuffo, A. & Jannace, D. “Subtraction and Scientific Approaches in Entrepreneurial Strategies”. Revise & Resubmit at Management Science - Best Empirical Paper Award (Entrepreneurship Division) at AoM 2023, Best PhD Paper Finalist at SMS Toronto 2023
• Camuffo, A., Gambardella, A., & Jannace, D. “Theory-based Reasoning and Performance”. Under review at an economics top journal
• Jannace, D., & Kazemi, S. & Camuffo, A. “Parsimonious Theorizing”. Revise & Resubmit at Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal
• Jannace, D. & Camuffo, A. "Less Is More: Subtraction Neglect Bias in Entrepreneurial Decision Making". Best PhD paper nomination at SMS 2026. Preparing for submission.
   

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Overall median students’ evaluation: 10/10; Winner of the 2024-25 Bocconi Award for Teaching Excellence (Students Engagement category).

• Lean Thinking and Practice: custom executive education course for C-suite and top management of leading pharma multinational (December 2025 – June 2026) 
• Strategic Decision Making: Lecturer 6x MSc cohorts (Spring '26, Spring ‘25, Spring ‘24)
• Lean Management, Lecturer 2x BSc cohorts (Fall ‘25, Fall ‘24), T.A. 2x BSc cohorts (Fall ‘23, Fall ‘22)
• Public Speaking & Behavioral Skills Seminar, Lecturer 8x MSc cohorts (Fall ‘25, Fall ‘24, Fall ’23, Fall ‘22)
• Collaborative & Leadership Competences Seminar, Lecturer 2x MSc cohorts (Spring ‘24, Spring ‘23)