Ateneo - UPO

Organization and the Business System (Environmental Analysis, Strategic Planning, Processes and Process Combinations)Job Positions (Division of Labor and Task Specialization, Coordination Methods, Formalization)Organizational Structure (Grouping Logic, Coordination Between Organizational Units, Distribution of Decision-Making Power, Formalization of Structural Characteristics, Organizational Characteristics and Situational Factors)Operating Systems, Leadership Style, and Organizational Culture (Operating Systems, Planning and Control System, Human Resources System, Information System, Leadership Style and Organizational Culture)Classical Organizational Structure Patterns (Simple Structure, Functional Structure, Modified Functional Structures, Functional Structure with Product Managers, Functional Structure with Project Managers, Matrix Structure, Divisional Structure)Lines of Organizational Thought (Classical Theories, Attention to Human Relations and Motivations, Attention to Human Behavior in Decision-Making Processes, The Systems Approach and Situational Theories)From Strategic Planning Results (The Balanced Scorecard, Hoshin Kanri)Business Process Management (Business Process Analysis, Process Design and Representation, Process Development and Execution, Process Monitoring and Optimization)

R. Candiotto, Vivere l'organizzazione aziendale, consapevoli dei principi essenziali, Giappichelli, Torino, 2025 

The course aims to equip students with an "organizational sensibility" that enables them to make work processes efficient and organizational units effective; create a pleasant and productive work environment; and foster organizational behavior geared toward achieving objectives, in alignment with strategic choices and the key characteristics of the internal and external environments.
To achieve these objectives, the teaching approach will be structured into direct instruction (2 CFU), interactive learning (4 CFU), and self-study (2 CFU).
1. Knowledge and understanding. By the end of the course, students will be able to: identify the components of the organizational system, their interrelationships, and their connections with the external environment; appreciate the influence of contingency factors on organizational design; recognize the essential characteristics of job roles and organizational structures; understand the functions and tools of operating systems; specify the characteristics of each organizational structure model (classic frameworks); and recognize the influence of leadership style and culture on organizational behavior. Furthermore, students will be able to appreciate the evolution of organizational thought (and the enduring contributions of various theories), the specific nature of tools used to translate strategy into action, and the particularities of effective process management (Business Process Management).
2. Applying knowledge and understanding. The knowledge acquired will enable students to: apply theoretical principles to understand how to manage organizational variables—in alignment with situational factors—to design effective organizations; analyze processes and identify areas for improvement; and determine which operating systems are best suited to other organizational variables and corporate objectives.
3. Making judgments. The course will enable students to: form independent and informed judgments regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations; ...guide decision-making regarding actions to be taken to improve performance and, depending on the situation, overall organizational behavior. The analysis of business case studies will facilitate the development of critical analysis skills and independent judgment.
4. Communication skills: Students will acquire the technical terminology and skills needed to promote, negotiate, and disseminate—within their respective operational environments—the organizational behavior best suited to achieving corporate objectives efficiently and effectively. Students will develop communication skills by individually presenting work produced in teams.
5. Learning skills: Having acquired the methodological foundations and a solid theoretical background, students will be able to effectively engage in continuous self-directed learning. Furthermore, the teaching method will foster critical analysis of organizational phenomena and the use of the analytical tools best suited to understanding and managing organizational change.

Students will be able to successfully complete the course after having acquired the knowledge and skills expressed in the Business Economics course (this is only a guideline and does not constitute a mandatory prerequisite).

1. Knowledge acquisition: Lectures (both face-to-face and participatory) and discussions with company managers will allow students to share the concreteness and practical utility of what they have learned (both in the classroom and through independent study) and gain hands-on professional experience.2. Skills acquisition: Lectures (both face-to-face and participatory) will alternate with case studies and exercises, using methods suitable for teamwork and guided discussions.3. The development of independent judgment will be fostered by discussing concrete cases in organizational design and presenting the solutions identified in structured reports.4. Communication skills acquisition: The precise technical language used throughout the course, along with in-depth exploration of topics in specialized texts and websites, will provide the foundation for developing specific communication skills. The technical background will be tested in exercises and case discussions to enhance the skills needed to promote, negotiate, and disseminate appropriate organizational behavior.5. Acquisition of learning skills: the methodological rigor and theoretical background acquired will allow for the effective development of continuous self-learning. The teaching method will also foster the critical analysis of organizational phenomena and the use of the most appropriate interpretative tools for understanding and managing organizational change.

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) can request dedicated services and tools by contacting the Career Development and Coordination and Student Services Staff and by consulting the dedicated page on the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentesse-e-studenti-condizione-di-disabilit%C3%A0-e-dsa. Students with disabilities, SLD, or SEN, after contacting the University Staff, can contact the professor in charge of the course regarding the specific exam modalities and teaching aspects

Students will be able to demonstrate their acquired knowledge and skills in 2 exams (EXAM 1 + EXAM 2, each lasting one hour).
TEST 1. TEST 1 consists of 12 multiple-choice questions on the topics covered in the Extended Syllabus (for clarity and convenience of students, the topics are covered in ALL Chapters of the REFERENCE TEXT, also included in the Extended Syllabus)
EXAM 1 is considered passed if at least 6 out of 12 correct answers are given (incorrect answers are not considered and do not penalize the final result).
After passing EXAM 1, students take EXAM 2.
EXAM 2. EXAM 2 consists of 12 multiple-choice questions on the topics covered in the Extended Syllabus (for clarity and convenience of students, the topics are covered in ALL Chapters of the REFERENCE TEXT, also included in the Extended Syllabus).
EXAM 2 The exam is passed if at least 6 out of 12 correct answers are obtained (incorrect answers are not considered and do not penalize the final score).
Students who obtain at least 6 correct answers in TEST 1 and at least 6 correct answers in TEST 2 pass the exam.
The tests will determine whether students have:
- Fragmented knowledge or substantial errors; inability to understand simple organizational problems; difficulty finding simple organizational solutions (score < 18, insufficient).
- Essential knowledge; hesitation in understanding simple organizational problems; uncertainty in finding simple organizational solutions (score 18–20 – sufficient).
- Correct but not always in-depth knowledge; adequate understanding of organizational problems; ability to find simple organizational solutions (score 21–23 – fair).
- Broad and organized knowledge; good understanding of organizational problems; good ability to find organizational solutions (score 24–26 – good).
- Comprehensive and in-depth knowledge; strong understanding of specific organizational problems; very good ability to find organizational solutions (grade 27–28 – very good).
- Complete mastery of the content; high understanding of complex organizational problems; excellent ability to find organizational solutions (grade 29–30 – excellent).
- Excellent mastery of the content; complete understanding of complex and original organizational problems; immediate and excellent ability to find organizational solutions (grade 30 cum laude – excellent).

To provide maximum clarity regarding the course content and program and to facilitate learning even for non-attending students, the topics covered in class are included in the volume: R. Candiotto, Vivere l'organizzazione aziendale, coscienza dei principi essenziale, Giappichelli, Turin, 2025 (the royalties of which are not collected by the author but directly donated to charity at http://www.aiutandonelmondo.it/). The program is structured as follows:Organization and the Business System (Environmental Analysis, Strategic Planning, Processes and Process Combinations)Job Positions (Division of Labor and Task Specialization, Coordination Methods, Formalization)Organizational Structure (Grouping Logic, Coordination Between Organizational Units, Distribution of Decision-Making Power, Formalization of Structural Characteristics, Organizational Characteristics and Situational Factors)Operating Systems, Leadership Style, and Organizational Culture (Operating Systems, Planning and Control System, Human Resources System, Information System, Leadership Style and Organizational Culture)Classical Organizational Structure Patterns (Simple Structure, Functional Structure, Modified Functional Structures, Functional Structure with Product Managers, Functional Structure with Project Managers, Matrix Structure, Divisional Structure)Lines of Organizational Thought (Classical Theories, Attention to Human Relations and Motivations, Attention to Human Behavior in Decision-Making Processes, The Systems Approach and Situational Theories)From Strategic Planning to Results (The Balanced Scorecard, Hoshin Kanri)Business Process Management (Business Process Analysis, Process Design and Representation, Process Development and Execution, Process Monitoring and Optimization)
The course will include an in-depth look at the role of the gender dimension, with particular attention to the implications for management and corporate organization.

At the end of the course, students will be able to focus attention on the essential factors to analyze organizations, express judgments about the conditions of effectiveness and efficiency of the organizational system, propose design options to improve work processes, coordinate and structure effective organizational units, promote organizational behavior aimed at achieving corporate objectives