OVERVIEW

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with the necessary tools to understand the mechanisms of operation of different business models from a comparative and long-term perspective. Through an analysis of the theoretical framework provided by the main scholars of business history, students will be able to understand the problems related to the management of enterprises as a result of their historical evolution. The study of the evolution of the enterprise in several geographical contexts and of specific case studies will enable them to be able to use both conceptually and operationally the knowledge they have acquired with autonomous evaluation skills and with ability in different application contexts. The course also aims at providing them with the technical language typical of the discipline to communicate clearly and unambiguously with specialist and non-specialist interlocutors.

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 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 who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof. Serena Scotto (scotto@economia.unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

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 (prof. A. Iodice)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LUISA PICCINNO (President)

MARCO DORIA

ANTONIO IODICE

MARINA ROMANI

ANDREA ZANINI

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

BUSINESS HISTORY FROM '900 TO THE DIGITAL ERA

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

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

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