Ateneo - UPO

The course is designed to provide students with the conceptual and methodological tools required to understand the functioning and dynamics of firms through a systemic perspective. The firm is analysed as an open, dynamic and interdependent system embedded in a broader economic, social, institutional and environmental context, and characterised by relationships with stakeholders, local communities and territories, institutions, and other organisations.
The course addresses the fundamental principles underlying the business system, with particular emphasis on its components, management and governance processes, and the conditions required to maintain economic, financial and asset equilibrium. It also examines the factors that may give rise to risk, as well as the conditions necessary to ensure business continuity and long-term value creation.
From this perspective, the course explores some of the most pressing and challenging issues currently facing firms, with particular reference to the technological, environmental, energy and social transformations reshaping competitive environments, business processes, business models and organisational governance. A first area of focus concerns technological and digital transition and the role of Artificial Intelligence in transforming business processes, business models and decision-making systems. The course also examines the organisational and managerial implications of adopting Artificial Intelligence, the emerging risks associated with algorithmic governance, and the need to develop the skills and capabilities required to navigate the digital transformation.
A second area focuses on environmental and energy-related challenges and their implications for the business system. Particular attention is devoted to sustainability and ESG factors, the circular economy, industrial symbiosis, and sustainability-oriented innovation. These issues are examined in light of the strategic, organisational, economic and financial implications of the ongoing transitions, as well as the role of firms in managing resources and responding to changes in the environmental and energy landscape.
Finally, the course examines the role of human capital as a strategic resource underpinning a firm’s ability to innovate, adapt and navigate transition processes. Within this framework, the course addresses the enhancement and development of skills, the transformation of work, diversity and cultural inclusion, and gender equality, highlighting their implications for organisational effectiveness, innovative capacity and competitive performance.
Overall, the course provides an integrated understanding of the business system, with the aim of examining how economic, financial, asset-related, technological, environmental, energy and social dimensions interact and collectively shape a firm’s ability to respond to emerging challenges, create value, maintain equilibrium, and develop resilience and long-term continuity.

The course and the examination are based on the following Open Access monographs, which constitute the main reference texts for the course:

1. Todaro, N. M., Testa, F., & Frey, M. (2024). Integrare la sostenibilità in azienda. Un percorso strategico, organizzativo e culturale. Milano: FrancoAngeli Series – Open Access (ISBN 9788835168096, Licenza CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0).

The volume is freely available in digital format on the FrancoAngeli Open Access platform:
https://series.francoangeli.it/index.php/oa/catalog/book/1248

2. Mola, L., & Bazzoni, D. (2026). Intelligenza Artificiale e Management. Strategia, processi e governance nelle organizzazioni. Milano: FrancoAngeli Series – Open Access (ISBN 9788835193371, DOI: 10.3280/oa-1628, Licenza CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0).

The volume is freely available in digital format on the FrancoAngeli Open Access platform:
https://doi.org/10.3280/oa-1628

ACCESSING THE OPEN ACCESS TEXTBOOKS
Both volumes are freely available online and do not require the purchase of a printed copy. Students can access the content by using the link provided for each volume and, from the corresponding webpage, consult the book in digital format and access individual chapters or the version available for online reading and download.
The two volumes may therefore be used by students as the official study materials for the course.

TEACHING MATERIALS PROVIDED BY THE INSTRUCTOR
In addition to the reference textbooks, selected teaching materials provided by the instructor will be used to complement the foundations of business economics and management with an analysis of the major transformations affecting the economic, environmental, energy, financial and technological context.
The selection of materials will be designed to foster an applied and critical approach through the analysis of concrete business situations, case studies, data, organisational experiences and emerging phenomena. The aim is to establish meaningful connections between theoretical concepts and the dynamics shaping the contemporary business system.

The course is designed to provide students with the conceptual and methodological tools required to understand the functioning of firms from a systemic perspective, considering the firm as an integral part of a broader economic, social and environmental system characterised by interdependencies with stakeholders, local communities and territories, and other organisations.
The course aims to develop students’ ability to critically analyse key phenomena relating to business management, organisation and accounting, as well as the strategies underpinning business development. Particular attention is devoted to the challenges posed by the digital transition, Artificial Intelligence, sustainability and ESG factors, industrial symbiosis, and financial dynamics.

No formal prerequisites or compulsory prior courses are required. However, a basic understanding of economic, social and environmental phenomena is recommended in order to effectively interpret the firm’s managerial and organisational processes.

- Lectures: presentation and discussion of the foundations of business management and the main technological, environmental and social challenges facing firms.

- Case-study analysis and discussion of current affairs: guided analysis and discussion of corporate reports, research findings and contemporary business developments, aimed at fostering students’ critical thinking and analytical skills.

- Individual in-depth study: students select and prepare a thematic paper to be presented as part of the oral examination.

- Active participation:
Students’ active engagement in the learning process is encouraged through in-class discussion of proposed solutions to assigned cases, comparison of alternative approaches and project solutions, and the public presentation of ideas, cases of interest and questions for further thematic investigation. These activities are intended to foster critical thinking, constructive debate and intellectual autonomy.

- Integration of the gender dimension:
The course addresses gender equality and organisational inclusion within the module devoted to human capital, highlighting the elimination of the gender gap as a strategic factor for innovation and competitiveness.
Gender-sensitive and inclusive language is used throughout lectures and teaching materials. The selection of case studies and examples likewise seeks to avoid stereotypes and to represent individuals and users with diverse gender identities, ages and abilities.
The course has a dedicated page on the DIR – Didattica in Rete platform, where students can access lecture slides, instructions, supporting materials, examples, previous examination papers and additional resources relevant to the completion of the course activities.

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request dedicated support services and accommodations by contacting the Staff for Career Development and Coordination and Student Services and by consulting the dedicated section of the University website:
https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa

Students with disabilities, SLD or SEN may also contact the course instructor to discuss the arrangements and procedures applicable to the examination.

Office hours are available by appointment, arranged by email with the course instructor. All communications and updates relating to the course are published on the dedicated DIR – Didattica in Rete page.

Learning is assessed through an oral examination, complemented by the presentation and discussion of an individual paper.
1. INDIVIDUAL PAPER
Students independently select a topic within one of the following four thematic areas:
- Technological challenge: digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence, emerging technologies, and the transformation of business processes and business models;
- Environmental challenge: climate change, environmental protection, ESG factors, the circular economy, industrial symbiosis, and technological innovation for sustainability;
- Energy challenge: energy mix, Renewable Energy Communities, alternative energy sources, energy efficiency, emerging technologies, and mobility;
- Social challenge: human capital, cultural inclusion, gender equality, the transformation of work, and other social dimensions of the firm.

The topic must be agreed upon with the course instructor in advance.
The paper must address a specific question or problem, establishing a connection between theoretical perspectives and real-world evidence and putting forward the student’s own interpretation or critical standpoint.
Length: 5 to a maximum of 7 pages, excluding the bibliography and any appendices;
Format: Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing, 2.5 cm margins, justified text;
Submission: PDF format, to be submitted at least 15 days before the oral examination;
Topic selection: by the end of the teaching period.
SUGGESTED STRUCTURE
The paper may be organised according to the following structure:
- Introduction and problem definition: presentation of the selected challenge and identification of the specific issue or problem to be investigated.
- Theoretical and conceptual framework: discussion of the main concepts, models and analytical tools addressed in the Business System course that are relevant to the selected topic.
- Case analysis or original project: analysis of one or more firms, industries, experiences, policies or real-world phenomena, or alternatively of an original project, idea or proposal developed by the student, selected in relation to the issue under investigation.
- Critical discussion and personal interpretation: comparison of theoretical perspectives with real-world evidence, highlighting opportunities, critical issues, contradictions, limitations and potential implications for the business system.
- Conclusions: synthesis of the main findings emerging from the analysis and formulation of the student’s own position, idea or principle in relation to the problem initially identified.

2. ORAL EXAMINATION
The oral examination comprises:
- presentation and discussion of the individual paper;
- assessment of the student’s knowledge of the entire syllabus of the Business System course.
The discussion of the paper assesses the student’s ability to substantiate and critically defend their choices, establish connections between theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence, and critically apply the knowledge acquired throughout the course.
NB: The oral examination is not limited to the topic addressed in the individual paper. Additional questions may cover any aspect of the course syllabus.

1. Systemic Framework and Definition of Core Concepts
1.1 The firm as an open, integrated and continuously evolving system
1.2 The components of the business system
1.3 Corporate governance and business leadership
1.4 Business equilibria
1.5 The firm in a volatile and risk-prone environment

2. Ecological Transition, ESG Factors and Industrial Symbiosis
2.1 Sustainability and business models
2.2 Strategic tensions and value creation
2.3 Greenwashing, green marketing and corporate communication
2.4 The circular economy
2.5 Sustainability-oriented innovation
2.6 Industrial symbiosis
2.7 ESG factors and performance measurement
2.8 Double materiality and sustainability reporting

3. Digital Transition, Artificial Intelligence and Algorithmic Governance
3.1 Digital transformation of the firm
3.2 From Information Technology to the AI-driven firm
3.3 Generative Artificial Intelligence and the transformation of work
3.4 The GenAI divide and Shadow AI
3.5 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence governance and regulation

4. Integration: Human Capital, Finance and Organisational Resilience
4.1 Human capital and the transformation of work
4.2 Corporate welfare
4.3 Diversity, inclusion and gender equality

5. Finance and Governance
5.1 Inflation, energy and financial risk
5.2 Forward-looking analysis and scenario planning
5.3 Risk, resilience, business continuity and adaptive capacity

Knowledge and Understanding
- Understanding of systemic approaches and of firms’ economic and financial equilibria.
- Knowledge of the dynamics associated with ESG factors, industrial symbiosis, the impact of Artificial Intelligence, and human capital management.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding
- Ability to apply business economics and management concepts to the analysis of real-world contexts and contemporary scenarios.
- Ability to develop and produce an individual applied paper addressing one of the four thematic areas covered in the course.

Making Judgements
- Critical assessment of firms’ strategic choices.
- Ability to interpret and critically assess the evolving challenges faced by firms.

Communication Skills
- Ability to present and discuss the individual paper clearly and coherently, using appropriate specialist terminology.
- Ability to articulate and substantiate the theory, idea or project developed during the oral examination.

Learning Skills
- Ability to independently consult, critically analyse and synthesise institutional reports, academic essays and business case studies.
- Ability to identify relevant case studies and current business and economic developments.