Ateneo - UPO

The course introduces to business management and provides a basic framework with regard to business management processes. Combining methodologies proper of Business Administration with models and tools borrowed from Managerial Economics, the course places emphasis on the application of these models in practical decision-making problems.

The first part of the course develops the concepts characterizing the theories of firm, entrepreneurship and strategies for value creation. Then, the attention is given to decision-making and operational problems regarding efficiency and profitability, using information about costs, revenues and pricing. The course ends with a brief review of capital budgeting methodologies.

Fraquelli G. (ed.), “Economia e gestione delle imprese. Teoria, strategie e creazione di valore ”, Kluwer, 2023.

Teaching material includes slides, exercises and eventual additional support. All this material is available at the D.I.R. webpage of the course

The course aims to provide students with the tools necessary to understand the issues related to some aspects of managerial decisions, outlining at the same time a way of structuring the analysis functional to problem solving.

There are no formal requirements. However, it is recommended the knowledge of basic concepts of Business Administration as well as some microeconomic theories (production theory, game theory)

Frontal lectures and exercises, oriented to develop a problem-solving approach

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/servicesstudents-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.

The exam is written, and lasts 1 hour. The exam can be taken a maximum of three times during the solar year, without skip of attempt in case of insufficient result in the previous exam. There is no possibility of withdrawal.
The exam allows getting the praise (30/30 cum laude). There is no oral exam or oral integration of the written grade.
The written exam consists of two parts: a part aimed at Knowledge & Understanding (maximum of 12 points, with 8 multiple choice questions of 1.5 points each and penalty of 0.5 points for wrong answer) and a part aimed at Applying Knowledge (maximum 21 points, with 4 open-ended questions). To pass the exam, a total score of 18 is required.

The program consists of 6 parts.
Part I. The firm: definition, goals and theories.
Part II. Strategic management of the firm.
Part III. Measures of economic performance
Part IV. Criteria for cost classification and costs’ variability
Part V. Cost-volume-revenue analysis.
Part VI. Financial management: cash flows and capital budgeting

The course requires students to develop:
- Knowledge and understanding of the proposed models of strategic and operational analysis
- The ability to apply the analytical models proposed in the context of specific managerial and entrepreneurial decisions problems
- The ability to interpret and make judgments on the consequences of managerial choices on firm performance