Learning objectives
1. Knowledge and Understanding
- Acquire a solid foundation in the fundamental principles of business management and organization.
- Understand organizational models and business strategies.
- Learn the main economic and managerial theories applicable to business management.
- Understand the role and importance of strategic and operational management.
- Develop the ability to interpret organizational contexts and internal dynamics of companies.
2. Applied Knowledge and Understanding
- Apply management and organizational theories to practical cases.
- Analyze and solve management issues within a company.
- Use tools and techniques for organizational analysis to improve company performance.
- Manage complex business situations using problem-solving methodologies.
- Translate managerial theory into effective operational actions.
3. Making Judgments
- Critically evaluate business management models and techniques.
- Develop the ability to analyze real business situations and propose innovative solutions.
- Interpret and evaluate economic and financial data to make strategic decisions.
- Recognize and manage organizational conflicts independently.
- Develop a critical approach in choosing management and control tools.
4. Communication Skills
- Effectively communicate ideas and the results of analyses in business contexts.
- Present strategic plans and management reports clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
- Collaborate in interdisciplinary work groups, developing leadership and negotiation skills.
- Adapt communication style to different business stakeholders (managers, employees, stakeholders).
- Use digital tools to enhance communication and coordination within organizations.
5. Learning Skills
- Develop the ability to independently learn about new trends and innovations in business management.
- Continuously stay updated on emerging methodologies, techniques, and practices in the managerial field.
- Identify and independently deepen relevant topics for improving management skills.
- Use advanced learning resources, such as research articles and business publications, to enhance one's competencies.
- Apply self-assessment methodologies to constantly improve professional performance.
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
To provide an integrated view of business management and organization, developing the skills necessary to understand and apply the main tools for managing resources, processes and business strategies. To provide the methodological and conceptual tools to acquire a critical reading capacity of the organisational realities of both manufacturing and service industries.
Full programme
1. Basic organizational structures and organizational schemes
- Types of organizational structures: simple, functional, divisional, matrix and horizontal.
- Design and evaluation of the effectiveness of organizational structures.
- Factors influencing the choice of organizational structure.
2. Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior
- Recruitment, selection and training of human resources.
- Performance evaluation and personnel development systems.
- Motivation and leadership: theories and practical applications.
3. Introduction to project planning and control techniques (Project Management)
- Fundamental concepts of project management: definition of project, life cycle, main phases.
- Project planning: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), time, resources and costs.
- Tools and techniques for control: Gantt charts, Critical Path Method (CPM), and Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT).
4. Introduction to the techniques of representing business processes (Business Process Diagram)
- Definition of business process and its importance.
- Business process modeling techniques: BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) notation.
- Identification and mapping of critical business processes.
5. Financial analysis of investments and the corporation
- Analysis of the economic convenience of investments: risks and returns.
- Evaluation of investment projects: equity vs. debt capital.
- Cash flows: forecasting and evaluation.
- The statement of cash flows.
6. Budgeting and economic controlling
- Introduction to budgeting: types of budgets (operational, financial, investments).
- Planning and control process: objectives and budgets as management tools.
- Analysis of deviations: measurement of performance with respect to the set objectives.
7. Operational tools for marketing decisions
- Demand and market analysis: market research and consumer behavior analysis.
- Market segmentation, targeting and strategic positioning.
- New product development: from idea generation to product launch.
- Distribution strategies: sales channels and logistics.
- Tools for operational marketing: marketing plan and marketing mix.
Bibliography
Supplementary handout available in the " Teaching Material" section of this webpage.
Teaching methods
The course unit is allocated 9 ECTS; the overall workload for the student is, thus, equivalent to 225 hours. This includes:
a) attending theory and practice lectures,
B) the individual study and preparation for the exam (self-study).
Approximately 50% of classroom lectures are expository (theory) classes and 50% are practical classes (exercises/problems/case studies).
Active participation and discussion of the course contents is encouraged. Therefore, study of the given literature and suggested readings in advance of each class is strongly recommended.
Assessment methods and criteria
The examination consists of:
- a first written test comprising theory questions (marked in thirtieths). The format of the questions in this test may be "multiple choice".
- a second written test involving the resolution of exercises (marked in thirtieths) and “essay” questions.
For each question (of both tests), the mark obtained if the student gives the correct answer will be indicated.
The overall mark awarded to the student is the arithmetic mean of the marks for the two written tests. The mark of 30 cum laude may only be awarded to students who have obtained a mark of 30/30 in both written tests and in any case only after a further oral test.
Both written tests must necessarily be taken in the same call and on the same date. Typically, the second written test is taken at the end of the correction of the first written test.
Other information
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
