It would be unfair to simply label Luca Dell'Anese an economist because he is much more than that.

With a PhD degree in law from Michigan, a master's degree in public administration from Harvard, and another PhD degree in business administration from his home university - Milan - he is certainly well schooled.

But this middle-aged man who has achieved so much is not intimidating at all, even though he holds many intimidating titles, including manager of the European Center on Tax Studies and Electronic Commerce, and is an attorney in Linklaters LLP and Ropes & Gray LLP.

With a warm smile and a tidy suit, he looks like an amicable teacher.

Actually, he is a teacher - working as a professor and associate dean at the International Business School of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU). He is also a visiting professor at Peking University.

"I'm the first foreign dean in the school's history," he says proudly.

Luca Dell'Anese says he has pursued knowledge because he wants to explore the world. [Provided to China Daily]

Q: You have worked in many areas, such as law and business. Do you define yourself as an economist or a lawyer?

A: Well, probably both of them, but I didn't pursue these titles on purpose. I am a person who loves trying new things, that's why I studied in different areas and work in different fields. My study is driven by my curiosity. I learn the knowledge simply because I want to explore the world more.

Q: You have a lot of experience in mergers and acquisitions. Why do you think so many international M&A activities have failed?

A: M&A is a difficult activity. Decision-makers have to be very careful before they do that. Sometimes, M&A can help to expand the company by incorporating different business from smaller companies, like what Google did in the past few years.

But acquisitions can also be dangerous if the company doesn't figure out a long-term plan beforehand. It is always difficult to integrate into other cultures and without a specific and feasible plan, it can lead the company to a quick death.

Q: Some Chinese companies, like Lenovo and TCL, tried to acquire foreign companies, but few succeeded. Why?

A: I guess the situation will get better in the future. Sometimes, the failure is not caused by these companies; instead, it has something to do with the foreign government. For example, Huawei Technologies wanted to acquire an American company 3com, but the US government rejected it since "it may hurt the national security".

But there is some good news. Geely acquired Volvo, which is the first time that a lower-end company acquired a higher one. If this case works out, it might change some existing theories in this area.

Q: What do you think is the core strength of Chinese companies?

A: Currently, cheap labor is still the major strength; so China should put more effort into reducing the labor cost. Now, many Chinese companies like Huawei Technologies play a leading role in developing countries; although it cannot compete with its American and European counterparts for the time being, they will someday in the future.

Now, if the multinationals want to enter China, they'd better cooperate with Chinese companies, since foreign companies can never know the Chinese culture as well as the native companies do.

Q: After working so many years in companies and law firms. How do you feel about working as an associate dean at the business school at BFSU?

A: Pretty good. Now, my position allows me to be an insider in many things, so I can see how things happen, and how they are handled in the Chinese way.

I also teach mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and business law in the business school. Now and then, I talk with my students about their dreams, and try to help them to achieve them. In a word, I am training my students in a global environment, which is also what the business school is trying to do.

Q: Can you describe your typical day for me?

A: There is no typical day for me; I am very busy every day. I teach in the school, do consulting work for some Chinese companies, and do research. Sometimes, I make schedules but unexpected things happen all the time.

Q: You said you have been in China for more than 10 years. What's the biggest lesson you learned from your experiences?

A: I learned to be patient. In China, things do not always happen as scheduled, so you have to relax and deal with whatever happens. I have known some foreigners who have come to China with big ambitions but they only stayed for one or two years before they got anxious and left. Although China has a lot of opportunities, you still need to stay long enough to achieve something.

Q: What's the next step in your life, Do you have an ultimate goal?

A: I don't have a fixed goal yet; but for the time being, I want to be successful in this position at BFSU; I don't want to have regrets from this experience.

My life may be half over. A lot of good things have happened and I'm waiting for better things to happen during the next half.