OVERVIEW

 The teaching unit introduces the concept of the firm and its role within its reference environment.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to introduce students to strategic management. Major topics of the course are the nature of the firm, the external and internal environmental analysis, competitive and corporate strategies, the management of some of the corporate functions (finance, operations, etc.). 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the teaching unit, students will be able to apply the main models and tools of strategic analysis (content) to solve basic business cases (condition), demonstrating mastery in the use of technical terminology (criterion).

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of market forms theory.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures, case analysis, business testimonials.

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

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Part I: The company

Company's goals

The firm as a system

Mission, vision and strategy

Part II: The environment analysis and the competitive advantage

The general environment

The competitive environment

Resources and competences

Distinctive competences and competitive advantage

Models, activities and processes for value creation

Business strategies

Corporate strategies

Part III: Functions

Production management

Logistics management

Finance management

R&D management

Parte IV: Focuses

Elements on services management

Elements on SMEs management

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Exclusively for attending students:

Lecture notes.

For both attending and non-attending students:

M. Caroli, Economia e gestione sostenibile delle imprese, McGraw-Hill, Milano, 2021.

On Aulaweb, the parts of the book to be prepared for the assessment, as well as any additions and in-depth materials, will be indicated.

For foreign students wishing to take the exam in English:

Grant R. (2019), Contemporary Strategy Analysis, 10th Edition, Wiley (the parts of the book to be studied will be indicated upon request).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lectures will start in the first semester. For the exact date, please refer to the academic calendar published on the Department website: https://economia.unige.it/didattica/calendari.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

 The exam consists of a written test covering all topics of the programme. The test include open-ended questions.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam is written and covers all topics of the programme. The assessment takes into account the knowledge of the topics, the ability to connect different topics, the correct use of technical terminology, and the ability to comment on and/or provide examples demonstrating mastery of the theoretical tools studied.

Students with certified disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (DSA) may request compensatory measures (e.g. concept maps) during the exams, following the procedure indicated in the guidelines (p. 5). For further information, please contact the Department's disability liaison: Isa.Fanlo@unige.it.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact the instructor for further information not included in the teaching unit description.