alex.turrini@unibocconi.it
Bio
I am an Associate Professor in Public and Nonprofit Management at Bocconi University. Previously, I have been Chair of the Division of Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship as well as visiting professor at Meadows School for the Arts and Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, SMU Dallas, Texas.
At Bocconi I am the Director of the MSc in Arts and Cultural Management and Economics (ACME) and Scientific Supervisor of the Arts, Sport, Entertainment and Culture Knowledge Platform within the SDA Bocconi School of Management Research Division.
I am Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of Arts Management and Associate Editor - Europe for the Journal of Philanthropy and Marketing. My studies are rooted in the public administration / public policy field and I am particularly interested in topics related to arts administration and cultural policy such as cultural philanthropy and arts patronage, the role of arts and culture in local policies, cultural networks and D-E-I in arts organizations.
You can find updates on my research and activities in my Linkd'n page or Google scholar page
Check here to check my teaching approach: https://vimeo.com/81408471
About
I am a scholar of public administration and cultural policy, with distinct but complementary research agendas in each field.
In public administration, my work investigates how implementation processes unfold across different governance settings. Drawing on empirical studies in Italy, I have demonstrated that implementation outcomes hinge on public leaders’ discretionary capacity, context-sensitive leadership styles, and ability to manage emotional dynamics. I have examined how leadership functions within bureaucracies, collaborative networks, and emergency response systems—particularly during the COVID-19 crisis—highlighting patterns such as bureaucratic managerialism and the role of emotional energy in sustaining action under pressure.
In cultural policy, I analyze how hybrid governance models—situated between public and private sectors—function as mechanisms for policy delivery, particularly in Italy’s institutional context. I also explore the increasing role of private philanthropy and corporate involvement, including artification processes, and examine how institutions design tools to reduce barriers to participation and foster greater inclusion.
Research Interests
implementation studies, public leadership, arts management, cultural policy, hybridization, arts funding, cultural philanthropy and fundraising, cultural participation