Research Centre
CERALE - Centre d’études et de recherche Amérique latine Europe

CERALE was founded in 2001 to develop research in management by bringing a bi-continental perspective. Its originality lies in the mobilization of experts from ESCP's network of partner institutions in Latin America and their faculties.

CERALE aims to foster joint research between European and Latin American experts on a broad range of topics, from macroeconomic issues to management issues. Every issue is explored from a dual European and Latin American perspective.

Florence Pinot de Villechenon  - Scientific Director - Emeritus associate Professor - Centre d’études et de recherche Amérique latine Europe - ESCP Business School

Florence Pinot de Villechenon

Scientific Director
Emeritus associate Professor
ESCP Business School

Mission/Objectives

CERALE’s objectives are to encourage scientific production based on cross-cutting views on a wide range of management issues and to promote research that is useful to companies and policy-makers.

CERALE's mission is the production of networked research in management, generated by bi-continental teams and guided by the principle of a dual European and Latin American approach.

The purpose of CERALE is:

  • to expand understanding of specific realities in the two regions;
  • to highlight the challenges that both regions face in a particularly unstable and unpredictable international environment;
  • to accompany the internationalization of European and Latin American companies by identifying and exploring business problems;
  • to provide public authorities and policy makers with information and analysis on economic and business relations between Europe and Latin America.

Research projects, seminars and conferences are also developed with the business community (French Foreign Trade Advisors) and with the support or collaboration of institutions such as the EU-LAC Foundation, the Institute of the Americas, the CAF Banco de Desarrollo, Inter-American Development Bank, Business France, MEDEF International, BPI, the Chamber of Commerce of Brazil in France, the Economic Chamber of Mexico in France.

CERALE is a member of the Institut des Amériques. The Institut des Amériques brings together some 50 French higher education and research institutions and federates studies in social sciences in France on the Americas by developing a trans-American and trans-disciplinary approach.

Every two years, CERALE organizes an international colloquium to:

  • critically reflect on the interactions between technological innovation, social innovation and entrepreneurial innovation and their contribution to the Europe-Americas relationship;
  • identify, share and discuss new theoretical approaches, new interpretations and new practices between researchers and managers from both continents;
  • establish a space for exchange and learning between the different European and American actors;
  • promote effective interaction between the academic world, the business world and policy makers.

Main Research Themes

  • The internationalization of SMEs
  • Investment strategies between Europe and Latin America
  • Female entrepreneurship
  • Risk management
  • Sustainable value chains
  • Management of public policies and digitalization
  • Management of cultural projects
  • Social innovation and sustainable development

Governance

The CERALE Orientation Council meets annually to reflect on the activities to carry out and the themes to address. It is chaired by Alain Rouquié, academic and diplomat, president of the Maison de l'Amérique latine. Its members are representatives of the academic community, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, and business leaders.

Florence Pinot de Villechenon  - Scientific Director - Emeritus associate Professor - Centre d’études et de recherche Amérique latine Europe - ESCP Business School

Florence Pinot de Villechenon

Scientific Director
Emeritus associate Professor
ESCP Business School
pinot@escp.eu