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Michele Ac­ciaro

Associate Professor

Subjects
Geopolitics Energy Shipping Supply chain Transport Biodiversity Climate

Primary research areas

Biod­iversity and In­nov­a­tion
Ex­plores how ports and ship­ping firms in­teg­rate biod­iversity into strategy and in­nov­a­tion, fo­cus­ing on busi­ness mod­els, gov­ernance, and nature-based solu­tions that align mari­time op­er­a­tions with glob­al sustain­ability and ESG frame­works.
Ports in the En­ergy Trans­ition
Ex­am­ines the role of ports as cata­lysts in the glob­al en­ergy trans­ition, from green fuel hubs to in­nov­a­tion eco­sys­tems, high­light­ing busi­ness mod­els, gov­ernance, and stra­tegic choices shap­ing de­car­bon­isa­tion of trade and sup­ply chains.
Cli­mate Change & Busi­ness Trans­formation
In­vest­ig­ates how cli­mate change re­shapes busi­ness strategy and in­nov­a­tion, with a fo­cus on mari­time trans­port and lo­gist­ics. Ana­lyzes new mod­els, gov­ernance, and sustain­ability path­ways driv­ing cor­por­ate ad­apt­a­tion and long-term com­pet­it­ive­ness.
In­ter­na­tion­al Busi­ness & Poly­crises
Ex­plores how glob­al firms nav­ig­ate poly­crises—cli­mate change, pan­dem­ics, geo­pol­it­ic­al shocks—through strategy and in­nov­a­tion. Fo­cuses on re­si­li­ence, gov­ernance, and sus­tain­able trans­formation in in­ter­na­tion­al busi­ness and sup­ply chains.

I am curi­ous about how busi­ness trans­forms in a chan­ging world

I am Associate Professor at Copenhagen Business School, where my research examines how strategy and innovation can drive sustainable transformation. I focus on shipping and ports as empirical context for understanding global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and the energy transition. 

My work helps companies and policymakers design business models, governance approaches, and innovation pathways that reduce emissions, protect ecosystems, and ensure resilient supply chains. By linking business strategy with sustainability transitions, I aim to generate insights that have direct relevance for industry and society. 

Previously, I directed the Hapag-Lloyd Center for Shipping and Global Logistics at KLU in Hamburg and held research positions in Norway and the Netherlands. I am an engaged academic citizen and a passionate teacher, and I contribute to international associations, serve on editorial boards, and mentor young scholars. My ambition is to bridge research and practice so that businesses become active drivers of change for a sustainable future. 

Publications

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July 2025

Managing Biodiversity in the Port Sector

Experiences From Three World Ports

Mi­che­le Ac­ci­a­ro, Associate Professor

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2025

Exploring Regenerative Business Models for Biodiversity Restoration in the Shipping Industry

Mi­che­le Ac­ci­a­ro, Associate Professor

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2025

Navigating Uncertainty

The Role of Size and Tie Strength in Shaping Resilience for Multinational Corporations

Mi­che­le Ac­ci­a­ro, Associate Professor

Chri­stop­her Dirzka, Assistant Professor

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Recent research projects

The Sus­tain­able Blue Eco­nomy Part­ner­ship

Blue­PortLab de­vel­ops multi-use spa­tial con­cepts for the blue eco­nomy, us­ing liv­ing labs to design sus­tain­able port eco­sys­tems that sup­port in­nov­a­tion, biod­iversity, and green growth.
BluePortLab

Ports as En­ergy Trans­ition Hubs

The pro­ject ex­plores how ports evolve into en­ergy hubs, test­ing new in­fra­struc­tures, gov­ernance mod­els, and in­nov­a­tions that ac­cel­er­ate the glob­al shift to re­new­able and low-car­bon en­ergy sys­tems.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network

Outside activities

Plen­ary of the European Com­mis­sion’s European Sus­tain­able Ship­ping For­um , 2024 - 2027

Ad­vis­ory & Mem­ber