Coffee beans to cathedrals: SCM 399 explores Italian supply chains

Guest Blog Post by Gabe Marshall (SCIS, ‘25) 

When looking at what to do for the upcoming 2024 summer, I took a path I never thought I would. After internship interviews came and went, a unique study abroad program in the Smeal College of Business came across my radar: SCM 399 in Florence, Italy. This six-week program encompassed the exploration of global supply chains while surrounded by the beautiful country of Italy. A perfect combination of my travel and business passions was an opportunity I could not pass up, and I am so glad I took part. 

Led by Smeal professors Norm Aggon (Supply Chain and Information Systems) and Kitty Riley (Business Analytics & Information Systems), SCM 399 is a Penn State study-abroad program in partnership with the Smeal Strickler Office of International Programs* and International Studies Institute (ISI) Florence. This is a course focused on international supply chains and taught through reading relevant case studies, looking at analytical data, and discussing global supply chain issues in lectures.  

“The unique opportunity to study in Florence, the heart of the Renaissance, provides a wonderful vantage point to explore Italian supply chains utilizing experiential learning as a platform to speak to owners and high-level executives while visiting their plants and operations. In many cases, students actually took part in the processes and 'got their hands dirty' thereby cementing the classroom experience with the real-world application of the concepts,” said Aggon.   

In our classroom along the Arno River and just steps from the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, we learned the context of the many Italian industries engrained in the country’s rich history. All this knowledge was then applied in real-time through field trips around Florence (and beyond) to local businesses with deep Italian roots. Afterward, we analyzed our field trips to truly understand the state of these industries. Of course, studying abroad also includes living abroad, with this program allowing students to truly soak in everything that Florence and Italy have to offer. By seeing and learning about the business culture and history of the current, past, and future, SCM 399 students truly get the chance to understand Italy’s role in the international supply chain.  

Tenuta Torciano Winery

Zero Lab

The following week, SCM 399 headed to Zero Lab, headquartered just outside of Florence in Scandicci, Italy. Co-founded by Philadelphia native Cassandra Kane in 2022, Zero Lab was established when Kane noticed the heavy amount of leather scrap from handbag factories around Florence. Companies like Gucci and Louis Vuitton have high-quality standards in their products, often leaving a big hole in many leather hides with nothing to do with the excess. At the same time, the European Union’s environmental regulations led to heavy fines for this waste of leather, putting many businesses in a tough position. This is where Zero Lab comes in.  

Zero Labs takes the scraps of these large leather companies, thus affording less fines for the fashion companies and less environmental impact, while enacting creative uses for the leftover leather. Working with hotel brands, small fashion designers, and entrepreneurs, Zero Lab helps turn these industry leather scraps into menu covers, gadgets, hotel accessories, retail, unique designer bags, and so much more. In addition, Zero Lab runs workshops to raise awareness about leather waste and to make some fun products with leather - which is exactly what SCM 399 took part in.  

We started our visit with an information session where students were able to ask questions about their unique business models and plans. Afterward, we got the chance to help create a handbag with one of their skilled artisans. Finally, each student got to create an Air Pods case made from leather scraps. Throughout the visit, students got to understand Italy’s leather industry from a unique perspective, learning just how creative a company’s role can be in a supply chain.  

“Our trip to Zero Labs was an excellent experience to truly understand a sustainable global supply chain and how data analytics is necessary to compete in today’s environment,” noted Riley.   

“Using our experiential approach to learning, students were provided a list of possible questions regarding all aspects of the supply chain, data analytics, and information technology. This led to an engaging question-and-answer session with the Zero Lab founder. She explained how to move the leather industry into a circular supply chain, while also explaining the complexities of the laws and regulations within the EU moving forward in the next couple of years.  In addition, she explained how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is crucial to how they reach out to companies with customized emails and the importance of their proprietary information systems tracking most of their data." 

Il Papiro

Known as the signature field trip of this study abroad program, SCM 399’s visit to Il Papiro was a a can’t-miss experience. Opening its first store on Christmas Eve in 1976, this paper-making company became a staple of Florence, creating a reputation for artisanal paper products. From journals to fans to ornaments and stationary, Il Papiro focuses on quality in all its products.

Our SCM 399 class participated in an in-depth workshop with Il Papiro to understand the many products and aspects of their “Make” Process. First, we learned how the company creates its many beautiful designs, including marble and clam shells. Each student got the opportunity to dye and create their unique paper design using numerous machines and techniques. Next, students worked with journal artisan Laura to create journals using pre-made paper designs. Going step-by-step, Laura showed our class the importance of the gluing and assembly techniques to create a high-quality journal. Finally, students had the opportunity to create a leather bookmark and emboss it with borders, designs, and prints of their choice. Creating such unique products was a huge highlight of the course and our class had such a fun time throughout the whole process! 

From Professor Aggon’s point of view, the blending of the classroom experience with these visits is immeasurable. He stated, "Prior to the field trip students normally explore case studies of similar businesses and with the use of the RTQ (Research_Tour_Question) approach enter the operations with a structured tool for analyzing the supply chain business processes they encounter. Interactions with the executives coupled with the hands-on exposure allows them to develop skill sets in problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, etc. resulting in oral business presentations and/or written business critiques. Finally, a self-reflection report helps to close the loop on this sort of experiential leaning technique.”

Dini Caffe

Founded in 1939, Dini Caffe has been a staple of Florence for decades. This family-run coffee-producing company is currently under the realm of sisters Serena and Benedetta Nobili, the granddaughters of founder Alberto Dini. Upon arrival, SCM 399 learned about the position of Dini Caffe in the coffee supply chain, mainly as a distributor to cafes around Florence. Working with a broker, Dini sources beans from Central and South America to create unique coffee blends. Our class had the opportunity to guess the multitude of aromas used to enhance the coffee blends and even try a cup of Dini’s famous espresso.

Outside of the Classroom 

Perhaps the greatest opportunity of studying abroad is what students can do outside of the classroom. With six weeks in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, I took full advantage of my free time during this program. In Florence, I got to see Michelangelo’s David, watch the sunset from Piazza Michelangelo, climb the beautiful bell tower, and enjoy all the delicious food the city offers. In addition, I was fortunate enough to travel to Pisa, Venice, Milan, Rome, the Amalfi Coast, and more during my six weeks in Italy. To top it all off, I took a quick 2-hour plane ride to spend a weekend in Barcelona, Spain! Other students in class took the opportunity to go to France, Germany, England, and so many other places not too far from Florence. From the Colosseum to a gondola boat ride, to hearing a speech from the Pope and  beautiful beaches, students got opportunities they would have never been exposed to had it not been for this program.

To put it lightly, the SCM 399 study abroad program in Florence, Italy has been the best thing I have done during my time at Penn State. Having a real-time perspective of the global supply chain and business issues talked about during the school year will be a key asset in my studies in the future.  

*For more information about this program or any of the Smeal Study Abroad experiences, please visit the .