Theory and Management of Business Administration
PROF. IVO PEZZUTO; PROF. SERGIO DISTEFANO
COURSE AIMS
The course is split into two modules, each of which has specific objectives.
MODULE I: To clarify the concept of enterprise, and starting from the perspective of
internal and external analysis of firms, to define the competitive framework and the
factors susceptible of guiding the behaviour of firms and predicting the firms'
performance.
Then the module concentrates on external growth possibilities for organisations,
using the concept of inter-organisational relationships, and goes on to illustrate the
issues related to development of accords and alliances, and the possible directions
for organisations that base their competitive advantage on extracting the most
value from their resources and skills and on the development and management of
relationships.
At the end of the module, the students should be able to do a business analysis and
a competitive scenario analysis, identifying the elements that can create
competitive advantages for firms and consequently, the elements that can generate
value.
MODULE II: The course will explain how firms operate by analysing several key
functions: supply chain, procurement, production, materials management and
logistics.
COURSE CONTENT
MODULE I: Prof. Ivo Pezzuto
– Enterprise, definition of business and analytical tools to support decisions.
– The external development of the organisation, organisational solutions and the
resource-based view (40 hours).
MODULE II: Prof. Sergio Distefano
– Corporate functions (20 hours).
READING LIST
Materials for the Business and Management of Firms course (Baroncelli; Serio), in
publishing.
R. CRESPI, Operations, supply chain and strategies competitive, G. Giappichelli Editore, Turin,
2009. Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 8.
TEACHING METHOD
The instructional objective is dual: 1) to illustrate the fundamental contents of the
modules and the related review of the proposed reading materials, and 2) to supply
complementary information and examples.
The course will be taught with reference to business cases, the discussion of which will
allow the student to reflect on the theoretical contents within a simulated operational
framework. Presentations by managers and/or business owners may be organised for the
purpose of better illustrating some of the transactions described in the course programme.
The presentation and discussion of business cases is designed to meet three main
objectives: a) analysis of the key topics covered, b) discussion and analysis of strategic
alternatives, and c) discussion and analysis of the aspects related to the implementation of
the operational decisions of firms. The cases discussed in class will not be covered by the
exam.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
Written examination to include: multiple-choice questions and essay questions or
exercises.
NOTES
Further information can be found on the lecturer's webpage at
http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG, or on the Faculty notice
board.