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B0005 - STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR

Academic Year 2026/2027

  • Moduli: Simone Massari (Modulo 1) Manuel Cuomo (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 1); In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Law and Economics (cod. 6762)

Learning outcomes

This course will enable students to understand the prominent concepts and theories of competitive and corporate strategy with a particular focus on the financial sector. The study of the core elements of strategic management will be combined with the development of the skillset to apply strategy models and tools to case studies predominantly from the finance and banking arena, including the emergent fintech companies. Students will have the chance to develop their collaborative skills in a role game as consultants to advise the management of a financial institution.

Course contents

This course will enable you to understand the prominent concepts and theories of competitive and corporate strategy with a particular focus on the financial sector. The study of the core elements of strategic management will be combined with the development of the skillset to apply strategy models and tools to case studies predominantly from the finance and banking arena, including the emergent fintech companies. Students will have the chance to develop their collaborative skills in a role game as consultants to advise the management of a financial institution.

Readings/Bibliography

Required:

Anderson, L., Buengel, D., & Simpson, J. J. (n.d.). Strategic Management and Case Analysis: An Integrated Approach. Virginia Tech Publishing.

https://doi.org/10.21061/strategicmanagementandcaseanalysis 

Chapter 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

Additional (not required):

Grant, R. M. (2018). Contemporary strategy analysis (Tenth edition). Wiley & Sons.

Teaching methods

This course is offered in a blended mode with face-to-face and online lectures.

Thematic lectures will be combined with discussions of case studies and a group work, which will lead to a final submission and presentation of the group project work.

In the project work, small teams of students will work as consultants offering advice to the management of an organisation in a major industry.

Assessment methods

Attending students

Quiz (50%):

  • Slides on Virtuale
  • Book chapters: Anderson, L., Buengel, D., & Simpson, J. J. (n.d.). Strategic Management and Case Analysis: An Integrated Approach. Virginia Tech Publishing. https://doi.org/10.21061/strategicmanagementandcaseanalysis . Chapter 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

Group work submission and presentation (50%):

  • Slide deck submission
  • Presentation Q&A with individual questions

Non-attending students

Quiz (50%):

  • Slides on Virtuale
  • Book chapters: Anderson, L., Buengel, D., & Simpson, J. J. (n.d.). Strategic Management and Case Analysis: An Integrated Approach. Virginia Tech Publishing. https://doi.org/10.21061/strategicmanagementandcaseanalysis . Chapter 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

Open questions (50%):

  • Application to case study shared on the day
  • Two theoretical questions from the book chapters indicated above and the slides

Teaching tools

The course will consist of interactive lessons, discussion of case studies and media material, and group activities.

Office hours

See the website of Simone Massari

See the website of Manuel Cuomo