Ateneo - UPO

The course examines in depth the major transformations affecting Human Resources management in the contemporary landscape, as well as the role of communication in the relationship between individuals and organizations. It analyzes emerging HR trends, the impact of artificial intelligence on organizational processes, and the evolution of leadership. Topics include skilling, upskilling, and reskilling processes; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategies; and the implications of longevity and multi-generational workforce management within organizations.
The section dedicated to communication addresses introductory topics of both a cultural nature (how stories work and the effects they produce) and a technical one (how communication has become a professional tool in modern organizations); subsequently, the mechanisms of internal communication are analyzed. The discussion then turns to employer branding—that is, how companies communicate with potential employees in a competitive landscape aimed at attracting top talent. Finally, the management of personal communication within the workplace is addressed.
The significance of communication and relationships will also be discussed, along with their implications for workplace dynamics, with a focus on relational dynamics and associated challenges. Insights and in-depth educational materials regarding key work-related issues (stress, burnout, workplace bullying) will be provided.
Students will develop a critical understanding of organizational dynamics and the managerial levers that foster innovation, inclusion, and effective communication within companies and institutions.

The slides and scientific articles shared during the lectures will be considered integral material.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
● Understand the key theories and concepts of organisational design, recognising how structure, processes, and people interact within organisations.
● Analyse organisational processes and systems and managerial choices in relation to efficiency, innovation, and sustainability, connecting theoretical frameworks with real cases.
● Apply organisational models to interpret and solve practical challenges, including coordination, communication, and change management.
● Critically assess the impact of digital transformation, hybrid work, and inclusion policies on organisational performance and employee wellbeing.
● Collaborate effectively in team-based projects, also using digital tools to communicate and coordinate tasks in hybrid or virtual learning environments.
● Demonstrate professional and ethical awareness in managing organisational complexity, with particular attention to sustainability and responsible management principles.
● Acquire communication and interpersonal skills in order to understand others and work-group dynamics. Develop empathy as well as effective and assertive communication skills. Gain awareness of key work-related issues.

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The teaching activities consist of:
• lectures supported by slides rich in content and examples;
• business case presentations, potentially featuring guest speakers;
• collaborative analysis of student exercises: the review and sharing of completed exercises is a particularly enriching experience for students, allowing them to receive feedback from the instructor while also offering questions and suggestions regarding their peers' work, thereby fostering a diversity of perspectives.

Teaching activities consist of:
• lectures, supported by slides rich in content and examples;
• business case presentations, potentially featuring guest speakers from the industry;
• collaborative analysis of student assignments: the review and sharing phase is particularly enriching for students, as they can both receive feedback from the instructor and offer questions and suggestions regarding their peers' work, thereby gaining a wider range of perspectives.

1. Knowledge acquisition: lectures will provide the theoretical foundation for understanding communication mechanisms, both in the abstract and in their application to business contexts.

2. Application of knowledge: assignments given during the course will serve as an initial opportunity to apply this knowledge to real-world cases.

3. Independent judgment: this will be fostered through classroom discussions of both the real-world cases presented and the assignments themselves.

4. Communication skills: in addition to theoretical sessions on communication and public speaking, students will practice and refine their communication skills while presenting their assignments.

5. Learning skills: theoretical tools and continuous individual and group practice will help develop a self-learning process that extends beyond the duration of the course.

Lectures and active participant engagement, use of images and film clips, group work, and role-playing.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Student assessment will be based on a combination of ongoing evaluation—involving an individual project, a group project, and further study of the topics covered—and a final written exam featuring open-ended questions.
A maximum of 30 points may be awarded based on appropriateness and completeness, with the possibility of distinction (*cum laude*) for merit, distributed as follows:
15 points for Prof. Villani’s section, based on an individual project and a group project
15 points for the section taught by Profs. Rizzello and Gramaglia (written exam, two open-ended questions)

The exam will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Not Successful: important deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in the knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited ability to analyse and synthesise, frequent generalisations and limited critical and judgemental skills, the topics are set out inconsistently and with inappropriate language;
18-20: Barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics with possible generalisations and imperfections; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgement, topics are frequently exposed in an incoherent way and with inappropriate/technical language;
21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of topics; ability to analyse and synthesise correctly with sufficiently coherent logical argumentation and appropriate/technical language;
24-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics; Good analytical and synthetic skills with arguments expressed in a rigorous manner but with language that is not always appropriate/technical;
27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topics; considerable capacity for analysis and synthesis. Good autonomy of judgement. Arguments presented in a rigorous manner and with appropriate/technical language;
30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and thorough understanding of topics. Excellent analytical and synthetic skills and independent judgement. Arguments expressed in an original manner and with appropriate technical language.

General principles of communication as defined by leading scholars –
Storytelling.
Corporate communication: marketing and institutional communication.
Internal communication—its origins and evolution—with particular reference to post-COVID-19 organizational developments and the need to rebuild a sense of belonging and engagement.
Internal communication tools: building brands and formats; creating text, video, and audio content; using the most efficient channels (digital and analog) for dissemination and measurement; the advent of AI.
Italian demographics and the need for employer branding: a shrinking workforce, a declining youth population, and a shortage of technical skills;
Public speaking and effective interpersonal communication: structuring a presentation and delivering it—covering voice, eye contact, proxemics, and body language;
Social media (particularly LinkedIn) and its role in employer branding;
Company advocacy, corporate ambassadors, and the challenge of trust: how companies and individuals collaborate in communication to enrich their respective brands.

Emerging trends in Human Resources management—specifically the impact of artificial intelligence, the digital transformation of HR processes, skill-based organizations, the personalization of the employee experience, and new strategies for attracting, retaining, and supporting employee well-being.
The new leadership models required by contemporary organizations. Key topics will include the concept of distributed leadership, the leader's role as a facilitator, and the principles of ethical, inclusive leadership focused on valuing people.
Skill development, through an analysis of skilling, upskilling, and reskilling strategies—considered fundamental to supporting employability, continuous learning, and organizational competitiveness.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, examining the meaning of diversity and inclusion within organizational contexts, key diversity management practices, and the contribution of inclusive policies to value creation, innovation, and organizational well-being. The various dimensions of diversity will be analyzed.
The themes of longevity and generational dynamics in the workplace, as well as the role of leadership and the HR function in building inclusive environments focused on well-being, intergenerational exchange, and the enhancement of human capital throughout the professional life cycle.

Fundamentals of communication and relationships. Aspects related to the masculine and feminine from the perspective of analytical psychology. Addressing problems in a group setting. Key relational issues in the workplace. Use of images, film clips, and role-playing to put into practice and experience the themes discussed theoretically.

Knowledge and Understanding
Upon completion of the course, students and the tools will have developed:
• a general understanding of communication dynamics and their strategic impact on organizations;
• a good understanding of communication issues addressed to employees and potential employees;
• knowledge of the main internal communication tools for employer branding and a series of relevant case histories from which to draw inspiration for further projects;
• the ability, within a corporate organization,
(They will also be familiar with the main HR trends, leadership models, inclusion policies, and skills development strategies.
Participants will learn to critically reflect on the implications of verbal and nonverbal communication, on relational dynamics, and how to constructively and cooperatively address challenges in this area.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to apply the concepts they have learned to real-world cases, analyzing how communication choices influence corporate climate, trust between individuals and the organization, and—consequently—performance. Through case studies and project work, they will learn to align communication strategies with business objectives within a sustainable and developmental context.
They will be able to analyze organizational cases and interpret the impact of technological, demographic, and social transformations on people management.
Making judgments
Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate the communication processes taking place (or, often, those that are absent) within organizations. They will learn to identify communication gaps and address them by proposing appropriate communication tools.
They will be able to critically assess the opportunities and challenges associated with adopting new people management practices.
Communication skills
Students will improve their ability to effectively communicate their ideas and knowledge, both through the drafting of effective documents and through public presentations.
Learning skills
Students will enhance their capacity for independent learning by integrating theoretical reflection with empirical observation and the use of tools for analyzing and visualizing communication processes. They will develop the autonomy to delve deeper into topics related to Human Resource management and the evolution of work, and will use academic and professional sources to critically analyze people management phenomena and practices. This will enable them to sustain lifelong learning and maintain a high level of professional adaptability within constantly evolving organizational contexts.