OVERVIEW

The teaching unit focuses on the processes, methods, and operational mechanisms of management control in companies operating in the transport sector, illustrating its role and relevance within the educational path in business and economics.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide a conceptual framework both on the functioning of transport companies and on the factors affecting their financial performance (using financial statement analysis).Others objectives of the course are: - to pass on knowledge about the main theoretical concepts and perspectives related to the management control system and its characterizing elements, as a fundamental tool for an effective and efficient use of company resources; - to allow the application of the main methods of financial analysis and management accounting useful for management control. The course also includes a monographic part relating to the calculation of freight rates and flagging out policies.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objective of this course is to provide students with advanced knowledge in the field of economics and business management, with reference to the specific characteristics of transport companies. In this perspective, the course completes the knowledge of financial statements and deals with the issues of financial statement analysis.  It offers the theoretical framework and the operational tools for application in the context of transport companies.

The course focuses on the study of the management planning and control system. It provides a framework of theoretical and methodological knowledge to support management in formulating operational decisions and to guide management in the short term. In this area, attention is placed both on knowing the main indicators of corporate management of transport companies and on how to translate them into the objectives needed for budgeting

Learning outcomes (Dublin descriptors):

Knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to describe and explain financial statement analysis techniques (reclassification, calculation and interpretation of financial ratios, cash flow analysis), the contents and tools of management control (budgeting, variance analysis), and cost accounting techniques, with reference to transport companies.

Applying knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to apply financial statement analysis and management control techniques to business cases in the transport sector, preparing budgets, analyzing variances, and evaluating main cost aggregations using real or simulated data.

Making judgements: The student will be able to autonomously assess the asset, financial, and income performance of transport companies, formulating reasoned judgements based on the analyzed indicators.

Communication skills: The student will be able to use the technical language of the discipline to communicate clearly and unambiguously with both specialists and non-specialists, including through the presentation of case studies.

Learning skills: The student will be able to independently deepen the main topics of the discipline, also in professional contexts, using available sources and the tools learned

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of business administration and general accounting

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures, case analysis, company and industry testimonials, possible group work.

Attendance is not compulsory.

Students with certification of disability, specific learning disorders (DSA), or special educational needs should contact, at the beginning of the course, both the instructor and the Department’s disability liaison, Professor Serena Scotto (scotto@economia.unige.it), to agree on teaching and examination arrangements that, while respecting the objectives of the teaching unit, take into account individual learning needs and allow the use of compensatory tools if necessary.

Course available on aulaweb

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course programme covers, in summary, the following main topics:

- Interpretative tools for economic and financial equilibrium: reclassification of income statement and balance sheet, indicators for assessing economic and financial performance, cash flow statement, all with specific reference to companies operating in the transport-related services sector;

- Financial statement analysis applied to significant business cases in the sector;

- Methods for recording and calculating production costs in relation to different types of production processes (general reference framework, calculation of costs per trip and per line, calculation of process costs);

- Management accounting and management control in transport companies, with specific reference both to the evolution of the surrounding environment and to the relationships with the economic measurement system;

- Economic responsibility: breakdown by responsibility areas and result areas;

- Management planning and the budgeting process in transport companies;

- Reporting in its various possible forms.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

L.Fadda, R.Garelli, Il controllo di gestione nelle imprese di shipping, Giappichelli, 2011.

Additional in-depth texts and articles will be suggested during the lectures and posted on Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

First semester

Class schedule

TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT SUPERVISION

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consists of a written learning test, which is identical for participating and non-participating students. For regular appeals, the written test consists of:
- a theoretical part (open questions) and 
- a practical part (exercises that have to be carried out).

Students (in three-round sessions) can attend two out of three rounds.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Assessment is carried out through a written test aimed at verifying the learning of the main theoretical aspects and, through practical exercises, at evaluating the achievement of the above-mentioned learning objectives.

Group work and case study presentations may replace specific parts of the programme and/or contribute to the final grade

FURTHER INFORMATION

Any prerequisites and/or recommended preparatory courses: Business Administration, Accounting.

Exam registration at least 5 days before the test.