OVERVIEW

 The course provides an analysis of the evolution of the conceptual framework relating to economic theories of the entrepreneur and the firm. It then focuses on the dynamic firm and its relationship with the economic, institutional, and social context in which it operates, through a long-term perspective ranging from the late nineteenth century to the present day, with the rise of new digital technologies.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with the tools necessary to understand the operating mechanisms of different business models from a comparative and long-term perspective. Through an analysis of the theoretical frameworks developed by leading scholars in business history, students will gain an understanding of the issues related to enterprise management as shaped by historical evolution. The study of the evolution of firms across different geographical contexts, together with specific case studies, will enable students to apply the knowledge they have acquired both conceptually and operationally, demonstrating independent judgment and the ability to adapt it to different application contexts. The course also aims to equip students with the technical language of the discipline, enabling them to communicate clearly and effectively with both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The main objectives are to analyze the origin, transformation and strategies of the enterprise as a central institution of modern economic development froma global poin of view and in historical perspective. The aim is to provide the graduate with a comprehensive picture of the evolution of business systems from a long-term perspective, depending on the changes that have occurred in the environmental context in which they operate. Businesses will be analyzed from both a quantitative and qualitative perspective, highlighting changes in form, size and performance, in general terms and with particular reference to the Italian case.

Learning Outcomes.

Knowledge and understanding

Students are expected to acquire adequate knowledge and an effective ability to understand the path of growth and development followed by companies operating on the Italian scene and in the international context and the strategies adopted.

 Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

Students must be able to apply the knowledge acquired and to understand and solve problems referring to individual business cases, through a practical application of the theoretical models studied and an empirical verification of them

 Autonomy of judgment

Students must be able to use both conceptually and operationally the acquired knowledge with autonomous evaluation skills and proficiency in different application contexts.

Communication skills

Students must acquire the technical language typical of the discipline in order to communicate clearly and unambiguously with specialist and non-specialist interlocutors.

Learning skills

Students must develop adequate learning skills that will enable them to continue to explore the main topics of the discipline especially in the contexts in which they will be working.

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge in the field of economic history necessary to address the course topics:

the features of the economic system in pre-industrial times

the changes which occurred through the first and second industrial revolutions

the main stages of the 20th century economy

the main economic theories

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lectures, case studies, small groups works, seminars on specific themes

The course is taught is Italian.

Students with disabilities, SLD or SEN
Students with disabilities, with SLD or with SEN are reminded that, to request exam accommodations, they must first upload their certification to the University website at servizionline.unige.it<https://servizionline.unige.it/>, in the “Students” section. The documentation will be checked by the University’s Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with SLD.
At the beginning of the course, students are advised to contact the lecturer to agree on exam arrangements which, while respecting the learning objectives of the course, take individual learning needs into account.
To request compensatory tools or dispensatory measures, students with disabilities or SLD must fill in the dedicated Webform available athttps://unige.it/disabilita-dsa, at least 7 working days before the exam.
Students with SEN may instead send their request by e-mail to the lecturer, copying the Department Representative, Prof. Elena Lagomarsino, atinclusione.economia@unige.it<mailto:inclusione.economia@unige.it>, and the Inclusion Office atinclusione.studenti@info.unige.it<mailto:inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it>.

Requests from students will be assessed by the lecturer and may be approved or rejected.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

In this course, the origins, the development, and the growth of businesses are studied. The course traces the beginnings of business enterprise and describes its development from the Industrial Revolution to nowadays, focusing on some significant issues such as globalization, entrepreneurship, corporate governance, technology, innovation, and economic theory.  Focus and case studies on italian firms and their history and on digital transfomation and innovation in historical perspective (seminars)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course is taught in the first semester, following the calendar and schedule defined bu=y the Department of Economics. Schedule and classrooms are available at the Easyacademy link:  https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written examination based on open-ended questions focusing on general topics and specific aspects. The written examination will make no distinction between attending and non-attending students.

The written examination may possibly be integrated by group work reserved for attending students. Such work will include classroom discussion

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The purpose of the exam is to test the ability to properly contextualize and develop the topics in the syllabus, the student's knowledge of the disciplinary vocabulary, and the degree to which the main issues analyzed have been explored in depth.

Failure to pass the test will make it impossible to retake the immediately following exam in the same session.

On line registration to take the exam is compulsory

FURTHER INFORMATION

http://www.economia.unige.it/index.php/english/incoming-erasmus-students

Erasmus students are invited to contact the lecturer for further information

The lecturer analyzed and considered the results of the teaching evaluation questionnaires relating to the previous academic year.