When rationality and pragmatism combine into robust models. The case of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Lombardy

Robustness has emerged as a paradigm for addressing turbulence through a pragmatic, decentralized and flexible model of action. Recent research, however, has indicated that even a model echoing more the characteristics of a rational rather than a pragmatist approach can be effective, thus presenting a puzzling scenario. This study aims to address this puzzle by examining the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the Italian region of Lombardy. Our findings reveal that what may initially appear as a rational response model is, in fact, a combination of rational decision-making and pragmatic actions, culminating in a robust response to crises. Furthermore, we identify four key factors that facilitate the transformation of this combination into robustness: reliance on real-time information; communication through digital means (particularly instant messaging and group chats); a networked structure that allows critical connections to occur; and passion, which instils a pervasive team spirit and commitment.