Empowering Global Leaders: Ahlers Center Hosts SDA Bocconi Service Week 2026

The Ahlers Center for International Business at the University of San Diego's Knauss School of Business recently welcomed faculty, scholars, and business professionals for the SDA Bocconi School of Management Service Week 2026, held from July 27 to July 31, 2026.

Led by Professor Vincenzo Baglieri and Jelena Urosevic of SDA Bocconi School of Management, this immersive, five-day intensive program hosted in the KCBE Nexus Theater explored the evolving landscape of service operations, artificial intelligence, servitization and customer experience engineering.

Highlighting Global Partnerships & Academic Excellence

The week opened on Monday, July 27, with warm greetings from Diane Ice and Professor Alan Gin, introducing attendees to San Diego and the University of San Diego campus. Professor Vincenzo Baglieri kicked off the academic sessions with an overview of the program, setting the stage for deep dives into modern service economies.

Throughout the week, participants engaged in lectures, roundtable discussions and corporate site visits led by distinguished faculty and industry experts:

• The Evolution of the Service Economy: Professor Uday Karmarker provided foundational insights on moving "Beyond the Services Revolution," setting up discussions on how global economies are restructuring.

• AI & Technological Innovation: Dr. Saurabh Mishra delivered key sessions on "The Second Service Revolution: The AI Evolution," while Dr. Ken Pulverman examined practical applications in "Understanding How AI Can Support the Execution, Assessment, and Acceleration of Servitization."

• Operations & Customer Experience: Professor Simon Croom led discussions on service operations and quality management, complementing Professor Vincenzo Baglieri’s comprehensive sessions on "The Road to Servitization," "Industrialization of Services," and "Beyond Product and Service: Design and Engineering of the Customer Experience."

Bridging Theory and Practice

A key highlight of the week occurred on Wednesday, July 29, when attendees took part in an off-site company visit to Brain Corp, a San Diego-based AI and autonomous technology leader. The visit provided participants with a firsthand look at how cutting-edge service automation and AI solutions are deployed in real-world industrial settings.

Looking to the Future: The Transformation Economy

The week concluded on Friday, July 31, with a strategic focus on "Towards the Transformation Economy" led by Professor Baglieri, followed by collaborative group projects and final assignment submissions.

Participants, faculty and organizers celebrated the week's success during a closing reception at the scenic KIPJ Garden of the Sea, overlooking the Pacific coastline.

"Programs like Service Week highlight the core mission of the Ahlers Center for International Business—fostering international collaboration, cross-border academic exchanges, and equipping tomorrow’s business leaders with global perspectives," noted representatives from the Ahlers Center.

About the Ahlers Center for International Business

The Ahlers Center for International Business at USD’s Knauss School of Business develops global mindsets through international consulting projects, global study opportunities, speaker series and collaborative academic partnerships with premier institutions worldwide like SDA Bocconi School of Management.