EA 4161 – COACTIS – Action Design in Context

COACTIS is a joint research unit (UMR) specialising in the field of management sciences and corporate social responsibility (CSR). In partnership with Mines Saint-Étienne, Université Lumière Lyon 2, and Université Jean Monnet, COACTIS brings together researchers committed to understanding managerial, economic, and social dynamics, and to generating a concrete and positive impact on society.

The unit stands out for its interdisciplinary approach, combining expertise in organisational management, sustainable innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional development. COACTIS plays a key role in supporting businesses and institutions in their transition towards more ethical and responsible practices.

Mission and Focus

COACTIS’s core mission is to advance scientific knowledge and to promote its application in managerial and organisational practices.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Understanding entrepreneurial dynamics, developing tools to support entrepreneurs, and promoting innovative economic models.
Digital Transformation of Organisations
Supporting businesses in adopting emerging technologies while analysing their impact on organisational and managerial practices.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
Studying responsible business practices and their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This research enables COACTIS to address current strategic challenges, such as:

Ecological and Energy Transition
Integrating principles of social responsibility at the core of organisational strategies.
Le renforcement de l’attractivité et de la résilience des territoires grâce à l’innovation sociale et entrepreneuriale.

Key Contributions

COACTIS stands out for its involvement in major research projects and its partnerships with public and private stakeholders, including:

Participation in national and European collaborative projects

ANR (French National Research Agency): Involvement in interdisciplinary projects combining management, innovation, and social transformation.
EU-funded Projects: Participation in European initiatives, particularly on digital transitions and responsible business practices.

Partnerships with academic institutions and research networks

Collaboration with Innovation Hubs and Regional Clusters (Lyon and Saint-Étienne)
Active Member of Thematic Management Networks to share and promote its research internationally

Practical initiatives for businesses and local communities

Academics and support for entrepreneurs through dedicated programmes.
Development of Methodologies to assess the social and environmental impact of organisations.

Priority Research Themes

COACTIS’s work is structured around four main research areas:

Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation

Analysis of Entrepreneurial Journeys, success factors, and barriers to business creation.
Study of Social Innovation and Territorial Initiatives aimed at addressing local challenges

Digital and Organisational Transformation

Impact of Digital Technologies (AI, Blockchain, etc.) on Management Models
Assessment of Digitalisation Processes in Businesses and Public Administrations

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Study of Responsible Practices and Sustainable Strategies in both SMEs and large organisations.
Development of Tools to integrate sustainability into managerial decision-making

Territorial Development and Collaborative Innovation

Promoting Innovation in Support of Regional Development, in collaboration with public policies and local economic stakeholders.
Study of the Impact of Clusters and Collaborative Ecosystems on regional competitiveness

Supervisory Bodies and Management

Supervisory Institutions

Management

Maud Dampérat, Director
Alexis Catanzaro, Co-Director
Marc Bidan, Scientific Director and Head of the Unit

Contact – Mines Saint-Étienne

Julien de Benedittis

Strategic Analysis and the Impact of Digital and Ecological Transitions on Businesses

With its strong regional roots and international collaborations, COACTIS is a research unit firmly focused on the future. Its work in management addresses the major challenges of our time—supporting entrepreneurship, guiding businesses through digital transformation, and promoting responsible practices.