The aim of the course is to provide the conceptual tools for strategic business management and the opportunity to simulate the use of these tools in corporate decision-making.

Upon completion of the course, students will have developed the following knowledge and skills: Knowledge and understanding: Ability to read and interpret how a business organization operates and how it interacts with the external environment; Understanding and knowledge of the tools used for analyzing and formulating business strategy in various competitive and market contexts; Ability to assess a company’s competitive position and use tools to enhance it; Ability to formulate strategic decisions related to the main business functions. Applying knowledge and understanding: Ability to apply the concepts taught during the course to the various dimensions of business problems and to apply theoretical models to real-world business cases and situations; Ability to apply acquired knowledge by using analytical tools and strategic planning methods in diverse competitive and market contexts; Ability to diagnose and solve strategic issues in different competitive environments; Analytical skills that enable the breakdown of complex problems in order to manage solutions effectively in specific applications. Making judgements: Based on the acquired knowledge and the use of learned methodological tools, students will be able to evaluate a company’s competitive position and identify economic and strategic levers to improve its performance. Communication skills: Communication and interpretative skills, as well as the ability to process and synthesize data related to the topics covered; Mastery of appropriate business and economic terminology to explain, interpret, and communicate economic and strategic decisions. Learning skills: By the end of the course, students will have developed the knowledge required to interpret and understand the evolution of the competitive environment and the resulting transformation of business strategic choices; They will be able to clearly represent strategic choices across different functional areas: marketing, organization, and finance, as well as production management, design, and innovation management. They will therefore be able to provide a clear representation of strategic choices across the various functional areas: marketing, organization, and finance, as well as in production management, business design, and innovation management.

The Firm as a System and Its Relationship with the Environment Environmental conditions and business performance Relevant PESTLE conditions for the firm Analysis of the competitive environment The concept of strategic grouping The “Sustainable” Approach to Business Management Conceptual foundations of sustainable management The rationale behind sustainable management Strategic challenges in sustainable management Introduction to “circular” management The Business Model Theoretical principles The business model canvas The “circular” business model The Firm as a Set of Resources Key resources and competencies The resource-based view of strategy Competitive Strategies Competitive advantage Competitive strategy frameworks Strategic Planning Corporate-level planning Business-level planning Functional-level planning Strategic Management of Business Functions Operations management Innovation management Organization and human capital management Marketing and sales management Finance and value creation

Caroli, "Economia e Gestione sostenibile delle Imprese", McGrawHill. Case studies and papers from Harvard Business Review and Ivey Publishing, which students will be required to purchase individually. Case studies from Luiss Business School and McKinsey, which will be available for students to download free of charge. Additional teaching materials provided by the instructor.

The lessons will include a mix of theory and case studies that will illustrate the main concepts discussed in class. The sessions will follow the structure and progression of the topics presented in the textbook. The theoretical lessons aim to provide students with the tools necessary to acquire the knowledge and skills required to understand the business context and the main instruments available to management. Case discussions and assignments, on the other hand, are designed to develop students' ability to independently apply this knowledge in order to build sound judgment for solving real-world business management issues. The course also includes practical seminars featuring guest speakers from companies who will share their knowledge and insights on business management practices.

During the course, students will be required to complete the following assessments: An individual in-class assignment, which will account for 30% of the final grade; A written exam lasting approximately 60 minutes, accounting for 70% of the final grade, consisting of open-ended questions based on the course content. Class participation will be taken into consideration for the assignment of bonus points, up to a maximum of 3 points. Non-attending students will take a written exam lasting approximately 120 minutes, which will represent 100% of the final grade. Anti-plagiarism software will be used for both types of assessments.

Having obtained a grade of at least 27 in the exam; presentation of a valid research project.