OVERVIEW

In an economic context characterized by high volatility, increasing market complexity and accelerating technological change, the ability to make effective decisions is a critical success factor for organizations. Such decision-making ability, however, cannot be separated from a solid understanding of the tools for representing and analyzing business results. The course integrates these two aspects of modern management, addressing the issue of decision-making with both an individual and organizational perspective, and introducing the tools of economic and financial analysis. Particular attention is paid to general and industrial accounting and to the economic and financial evaluation of business choices and investment projects. In this perspective, analytical mastery and understanding of decision-making processes transform economic information into effective and strategically oriented managerial action.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim is to teach students the basic concepts of decision-making processes, that is, how individuals, organizational units, and entire organizations make decisions. Additionally, the course aims at describing the decision-making process specifically in the context of managing supply chain relationships.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: 

• Understand the theoretical foundations of individual and organizational decision-making processes 

• Identify the main decision-making models 

• Analyze cognitive, emotional, and contextual variables that influence decisions 

• Know the specificities of decisions in supply chain management 

• Understand analytical frameworks for make-or-buy decisions 

• Master evaluation criteria and supplier selection methods

Students will develop the ability to: 

• Apply decision analysis techniques to real business cases 

• Design structured decision-making processes for supplier management 

• Use quantitative and qualitative tools for supplier selection 

• Evaluate trade-offs in strategic sourcing decisions

 • Manage decision-making complexity in multi-actor organizational contexts

Students will acquire: 

• Critical analysis capabilities of existing decision-making processes 

• Structured problem-solving skills in supply decisions

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons, exercises, paper discussion. Students holding valid certificates for disability, specific learning disabilities (SLD), or special educational needs (SEN) may refer to the services, compensatory tools, specific measures, and aids, as well as the requirements and conditions for accessing and using them, explained on https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1: Foundations of Decision-Making Processes

1.1 Decision Theory 

• Normative vs descriptive models 

• Bounded rationality and cognitive heuristics 

• Cognitive biases in managerial decisions

1.2 Individual vs organizational decisions 

• Individual decision-making process: phases and components 

• Organizational decision-making process: phases and components 

• Group dynamics in decisions 

• Organizational politics and decision conflicts

1.3 Decision context and environment 

• Decisions under conditions of certainty, risk, and uncertainty 

• Role of information and communication 

• Organizational culture and decision styles

2: Decisions in Supply Management

2.1 Strategic sourcing and make-or-buy decisions 

• Strategic supply analysis framework 

• Cost-benefit evaluation of outsourcing 

• Vertical integration vs externalization decisions

2.2 Supplier selection and evaluation 

• Multi-dimensional evaluation criteria 

• Supplier portfolio management 

• Total cost of ownership models 

• Digital decision support

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slides and papers available on aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11924/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Learning assessment occurs through a written exam. Exam results are published on aula-web.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will evaluate the ability to apply approaches, methods, and tools in the context of designing and managing decision-making processes, with particular focus on decision-making processes in supply management.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule.