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Syllabus

EN IT

Learning Objectives

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The objective of the course is to provide the conceptual and thematic foundations of contemporary management. The programme is designed to provide theoretical and practical knowledge on some key management topics, in order to give students a clear understanding of what management is, as a field of study and action, the role of managers, how systems work, how to manage complexity and sustainability, decision-making processes, strategy development and value chain management, organisational structure, control systems and change management, the management of digital transformation and some related business models.
In detail, the objectives of the training are:
- understand management and its main tasks
- understand and evaluate the role of the company in society
- understand and analyse the internal and external environment of organisations, with particular reference to the systemic view
- understand and recognise contemporary challenges
- understand and analyse corporate strategies
- recognise the role of innovation in the development of business models, products and services and in sustainability
- understand and recognise the role of information management and technology in inter- and intra-organisational change
- understand and recognise the role of collaboration in value chains and systemic innovation processes
- understand and evaluate monitoring and control systems and their role in performance improvement processes for business continuity.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Know and understand management issues within and outside organisations.
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Know how to use management tools and approaches in decision-making processes.
AUTONOMY OF JUDGEMENT:
Be able to identify and evaluate the appropriateness of business strategies.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Strengthen communication skills through collaborative learning.
LEARNING SKILLS:
Strengthen critical thinking, creative thinking, communication and collaboration.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for students to attend the course.

Program

In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, organisations face increasing complexity, uncertainty, and pressure to generate not only economic value, but also positive social and environmental impact. The course “Contemporary Management for Sustainable and Innovative Organisations” is designed to equip students with the essential knowledge, perspectives, and practical tools to effectively manage and lead organisations in this context.
The course provides a comprehensive overview of core management principles, with a strong and continuous emphasis on sustainability and innovation as transversal themes. Students will critically explore managerial functions, organisational environments, ethical and responsible practices, strategic planning, organisational design and change, and the management of innovation. Throughout, the program fosters active participation, collaborative problem solving, and real-world application through the use of cases and experiential activities.
 
Module 1 – The Foundations of Management: Roles, Functions, and Skills (6 hours)
This module introduces the fundamentals of management in contemporary organisations. Students will explore the four core managerial functions (planning, organising, leading, and controlling), essential managerial skills, and the key roles of managers at different organisational levels. The module discusses efficiency, effectiveness, and value creation, highlighting the importance of sustainability and innovation as guiding principles for responsible and future-oriented management.
 
Module 2 – Understanding Organisational Environments: Internal Dynamics and External Forces (6 hours)
This module examines organisations as open systems and analyses both internal and external environments. Topics include organisational values, culture, emotions, attitudes, and diversity, as well as stakeholder mapping and environmental forces. Students will develop a deep understanding of managing diversity and multiculturalism in global settings, and of the importance of resilience and adaptability. The role of sustainability and innovation in driving and responding to organisational change will be emphasised throughout.
 
Module 3 – Business Ethics and Sustainability: Responsibility in Contemporary Organisations (6 hours)
This module focuses on ethical decision-making and corporate social responsibility. Students will analyse major ethical challenges and the relationship between stakeholders, sustainability, and value creation. Circular economy models and regenerative strategies are introduced, alongside frameworks for managing complexity and paradoxes in sustainable management. Sustainability and innovation serve as central reference points for ethical and responsible business practice.
 
Module 4 – Strategic Management and Decision-Making for Sustainable Value Creation (6 hours)
This module explores the strategic management process and managerial decision-making. Students will work with key tools for strategic analysis (SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces) and examine how to formulate and implement strategies that create sustainable competitive advantage. The integration of sustainability into value chain management and the development of business models that generate shared value for stakeholders are central themes, alongside the role of strategic innovation.
 
Module 5 – Organisational Structure, Control, and Change in the Age of Sustainability (6 hours)
In this module, students learn about the design and management of organisational structures, from traditional forms to more innovative and flexible configurations. The module covers control systems and performance measurement with a focus on sustainability indicators, as well as the dynamics of organisational change and the role of leadership. The comparison between closed and open innovation paradigms is discussed, with an emphasis on the impact of organisational culture in supporting sustainable and innovative practices.
 
Module 6 – Innovation Management, Open Innovation, and the Twin Transition (6 hours)
The final module addresses the management of innovation within organisations, examining different types of innovation (product, process, business model), processes to foster innovation, and enabling conditions. Students will be introduced to open innovation principles, the role of value ecosystems, and the concept of the twin transition—integrating innovation and sustainability. The module concludes with reflections on entrepreneurship and creativity as essential resources for organisational change.
 
All modules incorporate case studies, group exercises, and active discussion to support experiential learning and the co-creation of knowledge

Books

Jones G. and George J. (2022). Contemporary Management (12th Edition). NY: McGraw Hill.  (obbligatorio per frequentanti e non frequentanti, fatta eccezione per i capitoli 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18).

Bibliography

Ambec S., Lanoie P. (2008). Does It Pay to Be Green? A Systematic Overview. Academy of Management Perspectives, November, 45-62
Bansal P. and Roth K. (2000), Why Companies Go Green: A Model of Ecological Responsiveness The Academy of Management Journal 43, 717-736
Bogers M., Chesbrough H. & Moedas C. (2018). Open Innovation: Research, Practices, and Policies. California Management Review 60, 5-16.
Cennamo, C., Dagnino, G. B., Di Minin A., & Lanzolla G.. (2020). Managing Digital Transformation: Scope of Transformation and Modalities of Value Co-Generation and Delivery. California Management Review, 62(4), 5-16
Hart S.L. and Milstein M.B. (2003), Creating sustainable value. Academy of Management Executive, 17, 56–67
Johnson M., Christensen C., Kagermann H. (2008) “Reinventing your business model” in Harvard Business Review, December 2008 (https://hbr.org/2008/12/reinventing-your-business-model)
Pane Haden S.S., Oyler J. D. and Humphreys J. H. (2009) Historical, practical, and theoretical perspectives on green management. An exploratory analysis. Management Decision, 47, 1041 – 1055
Porter, M. (1996), What is Strategy, Harvard Business Review, Nov/Dec 1996.
Porter, M. & Kramer, M.R. (2006) Strategy and Society: The Link Between Competitive Advantage and Corporate Social Responsibility, Harvard Business Review, December 2006, pp. 78-92
Porter M.E., van der Linde C., (1995). Toward a new conception of the environment competitiveness relationship. Journal of Economic Perspectives 9, 97-118
Van der Byl C. A. and Slawinski N. (2015) Embracing Tensions in Corporate Sustainability: A Review of Research From Win-Wins and Trade-Offs to Paradoxes and Beyond. Organization & Environment, 28(1) 54– 79

Teaching methods

The course involves the use of different teaching methods: lectures, exercises, small break out exercise, preparation of research, analysis of business cases. All these methodologies contribute to the achievement of the training objectives, which are related to both knowledge and know-how, aiming, as well, at strengthening critical thinking, creative thinking, the ability to communicate and collaborate.

Exam Rules

The evaluation system is designed to verify the effective acquisition of the course’s expected learning outcomes, as detailed in the syllabus. Assessment is carried out through both a written examination and an individual essay/case analysis, ensuring that the concepts and skills evaluated are fully coherent with the course objectives—namely, the acquisition and application of knowledge in contemporary management, sustainability, innovation, strategy, and organisational analysis.
The evaluation system includes:
1. Written Examination (70% of final grade)
The written examination consists of three open-ended questions covering the main topics of the course. At least one question will be based on a business case, requiring students to analyse a scenario or real-world example and propose solutions or critical reflections. Other questions may require analysis of specific examples or applications of course concepts.
The exam is designed to assess students’ knowledge, recognition, and critical analysis and application of management concepts, as specified in the learning objectives and the Dublin Descriptors.
Duration: 1 hour
Skills and Competencies Assessed:
Knowledge and understanding of core concepts
Ability to apply theoretical frameworks to real or hypothetical situations
Analytical and synthesis skills
Autonomy of judgement
Written communication and argumentation
2. Individual Essay / Case Analysis (30% of final grade)
Description:
Individual written assignment (essay or business case analysis) that requires students to:
Analyse a real or simulated management context
Examine the business model, sustainability, and open innovation practices
Identify and justify alternative courses of action using concepts learned in the course
Length: Indicatively 2,500–3,500 words (guidelines on structure and content provided in class and on the digital course channels)
Skills and Competencies Assessed:
Ability to connect theory to practice
Systematic and critical thinking
Problem-solving in complex scenarios
Coherence and originality of analysis
Professional written communication
3. Bonus for Extra Effort and Participation (+2 points maximum)
Up to 2 additional points may be awarded at the instructor’s discretion for exceptional participation in class discussions, seminars, peer feedback, or other relevant in-class activities.
Participation is encouraged but not compulsory and is intended solely to reward extra engagement and contribution.
 
The final grade is determined by the weighted average of the written exam (70%) and the individual essay/case analysis (30%), with any bonus points added for extra participation. All criteria are aligned with the learning objectives and the Dublin Descriptors (knowledge, application, judgement, communication, learning skills).
 
Grading follows the scale of 30, with the following explicit criteria:
Unsuitable: significant deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited capacity for analysis and synthesis; frequent generalizations.
18-20: barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics with possible imperfections; sufficient capacity for analysis, synthesis and autonomy of judgement.
21-23: routine knowledge and understanding of the topics; correct analysis and synthesis skills with coherent logical argumentation.
24-26: fair knowledge and understanding of the topics; good capacity for analysis and synthesis with rigorously expressed arguments.
27-29: comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topics; considerable ability to analyze, synthesize; good autonomy of judgement.
30-30L: excellent level of knowledge and understanding of the topics; remarkable analytical and synthetic skills and independent judgement; arguments expressed in an original manner.
Esempio di Criteri per la formulazione del giudizio espresso in trentesimi:
 
The exam grade will be published on Delphi, accompanied by feedback upon request. Final marks can be pre-published on Teams and on the course webpage.