Course 2022-2023 a.y.

The main goal of this course is to familiarize students with the sustainability issues with a focus on strategy and governance. At the end of the course, you will be able to:

•                 Acquire basic knowledge about the grand challenges of sustainable development and understand the role of companies in the path towards sustainability

•                 Understand the different theoretical perspectives of corporate sustainability

•                 Understand the “business case” for corporate sustainability

•                 Gain an appreciation of the opportunities, risks and trade-offs that affect decision-making with regard to ESG aspects

•                 Develop skills to assess what is a sustainable company and what differentiate sustainable practices from greenwashing

•                 Develop specific competencies on climate strategies, de-carbonization, and circular business models

•                 Develop basic knowledge on how to measure sustainability concepts (e.g. carbon footprint, life cycle assessment, environmental and social impact)

•                 Understand and contrast shareholders versus stakeholders’ view of the firm, and how they concur to define the “Corporate Purpose”

•                 Understand what corporate governance is, and why it is important

•                 Develop a deep knowledge of governance mechanisms in different types of firms, listed or unlisted, large or SMEs

•                 Create conceptual connections between corporate governance, strategy, and sustainability.

Finally, students will have acquired knowledge to have a comprehensive view of the major issues related to corporate strategies and governance models and to understand the implications of sustainability for management.

• Know main concepts of sustainability, corporate social responsibility, ESG factors and Corporate Governance
• Comprehend sustainable value creation processes and the stakeholder framework
• Understand the complex nature of Corporate Sustainability Strategy and Governance
• Understand how ESG factors should be integrated in Strategy and Governance, and the multiple ways in which those appy and engage with them
• Understand the impact of "corporate purpose" on corporate governance
• Understand the conceptual connections between corporate governance, strategy, and sustainability

• Recognize the complementary roles that different actors (individuals, organizations, institutions) play in sustainable economy
• Develop a critical attitude regarding the corporate purpose and the sustainable behaviours of companies and managers
• Take sustainable managerial / entrepreneurial decisions, strategies and governance using the tools developed during the course
• Assess corporate governance structures, in different types of companies, and understand how these affect sustainability strategies

• Face-to-face lectures
• Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
• Case studies /Incidents (traditional, online)
• Group assignments
• Interactive class activities (role playing, business game, simulation, online forum, instant polls)

Teaching method is based on active learning and includes lectures and several case studies (as an aid to understanding). Students are expected to ensure regular class attendance (at least 75%) and to actively participate in class discussions and teamwork. Slides and other materials are made available to students beforehand in order to facilitate note taking.

Written exam with a mix of open and closed questions (alternatively, two partial or a single final general exam). The exam consists of theoretical and practical open and/or closed questions with analysis of real or realistic business cases, as well as exercises. The exam allows to assess students’ knowledge of the basic concepts and language of the corporate sustainability strategy and governance. Through exercises, it is possible to assess the ability to take fundamental advanced knowledge related to models developed during the course.

Evaluation of the presentation of a group assignment. The assignment consists in the preparation and illustration of a presentation relating to a real company. The assignment allows to develop a critical attitude regarding the objectives of the course on corporate sustainability strategy and governance.

The assessment method for non-attending students is based on a final written general exam. It is composed of open and/or closed theoretical questions related to concepts, models and examples contained in the texts and exam materials, plus exercises. Both open and closed questions are mainly aimed at verifying the learning of the concepts, methods and tools illustrated in the teaching material and their correct understanding, and therefore the full achievement of the expected learning outcomes of the course.

Only the chapters in the syllabus:

Perrini F., Transformative Sustainability, Teaching notes, EGEA, Milano, 2022

Sardá, R., & Pogutz, S., Corporate Sustainability in the 21st Century: Increasing the Resilience of Social-Ecological Systems. Routledge, 2019. 

Minichilli, A., Quarato, F., Segreto, L., Principles of Corporate Governance. EGEA, 2020.

Notes will be provided with slides.

Other materials and selected readings will be indicated at the beginning of the course and will be available online.

All chapters of:

Perrini F., Transformative Sustainability, Teaching note, SDA Bocconi, 2022

Sardá, R., & Pogutz, S. (2019). Corporate Sustainability in the 21st Century: Increasing the Resilience of Social-Ecological Systems. Routledge.

Minichilli, A., Quarato, F., Segreto, L., Principles of Corporate Governance. EGEA, 2020.

Notes will be provided with slides.

Other materials and selected readings will be indicated at the beginning of the course and will be available online.