Business transformation at Zegna : Human resources as a change agent

Purpose – Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Ermenegildo Zegna is an Italian based luxury menswear company. It is a family owned business that employs 7,500 people, almost half of whom are based in Italy. In 2006 it turned over €779.4 million. When Zegna's senior management team decided to transform the organization into a performance‐orientated culture, the decision was made to start with the HR function. Practical implications – Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.