Course 2024-2025 a.y.

• The objectives of firms and their stakeholders
• The corporate governance of firms
• The responsibilities of managers
• Managerial data analysis and decision making
• Organizational design and organizational mechanisms
• Strategy analysis, formulation, and implementation
• External analysis with the PESTEL and Five Forces models
• Internal analysis: resources and activities
• Business strategy: differentiation and cost leadership
• Diversification and vertical integration
• Cost structure and break-even point analysis

• Define the basic structure of firms and how they carry out their activities.

• Identify the roles of individuals, organizations, and institutions in modern economic systems.

• Explain managerial decision-making concepts and the drivers of economic performance.

• Analyze different strategies that firms can adopt in their macro and industry environments.

• Compare the various elements that make up a business organization.

• Analyze organizational structures and processes within firms.

• Evaluate managerial decisions using conceptual tools and models.

• Connect firm strategies to pressures and trends in their economic environment.

• Lectures
• Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
• Practical Exercises
• Individual works / Assignments
• Interaction/Gamification

The course is based on active teaching methodologies aimed at maximizing students’ participation. In addition to theoretical sessions, students are involved in the discussion of case studies and incidents based on real-life examples. Theory and practice are combined dynamically, making room for quantitative exercises and in-class assignments to apply concepts.

The final grade consists of the following components:

• Partial written exam: 40%
• End-of-term written exam: 40%
• Group project: 20%

The written exams test students' knowledge of firms, the roles of different actors in the economic system, managerial decision-making, and firm strategies. These exams consist of multiple-choice questions, exercises, and short-essay questions (e.g., concept questions or case analysis). Exercises and case analysis are designed to assess whether students can apply their knowledge to real business situations, including organizational aspects, structures, processes, practical business decisions, and strategy evaluation.

Students must pass both written exams. Those who fail the partial exam will take a comprehensive exam covering the entire course content at the end of the term, which accounts for 80% of the final grade.

The group project, representing 20% of the final grade, assesses students' ability to apply their knowledge to real business organizations.

The grade is entirely based on a written exam that tests students' knowledge and understanding of all the concepts of the course and students' ability to apply these concepts. The exam consists of a mix of multiple-choice questions, exercises, and some short-essay questions (e.g. concept questions or cases analysis). Exercises and case analysis in particular are intended to check whether students can apply concepts to concrete business problems and situations.

Amore, M.D., Minichilli, A. and Taricco, P. (2024), Management, McGraw Hill.