85867 - Strategic Management I

Learning outcomes

The course provides knowledge on tools for measuring the economic and financial results of companies in support of their decision-making processes. At the end of the course, students are able to apply the main analysis tools to assess the company's economic and financial performance, to identify the determinants, to produce useful information on the individual activities carried out, also in order to optimize the resources available, and to fine-tune the company's strategies and their control.

Course contents

Teaching unit 1 (9 hours) - CORPORATE COSTS AND MODELS OF ANALYSIS

1. Company structure

2. Corporate costs

2.1 Mixed cost

2.2 Contract and process costs

3. Models for profitability analysis

3.1 Cost-volume-profit ratio (CVP)

3.1.1. Break-even point and safety margin

Skills acquired in Unit 1

Students learn about managerial business costs and acquire the basics for critical analysis.

Students learn the main principles for analysing business profitability.

 

Teaching unit 2 (9 hours) - MEASUREMENT OF PERFORMANCE AND STRATEGIES OF BUSINESS

3. Firm strategies and investment planning

3.1. Measuring performance in organisations

3.2. Costs and the decision-making process

3.3. Make or buy strategy

3.4. Activity Based COsting

3.5. Pricing decision based on costs

Skills acquired in Unit 2

Students gain an understanding of a number of technical and logical tools for performance monitoring and measurement.

Students are able to develop a basic model for evaluating certain business decisions.

Teaching unit 3 (12 hours) - EXERCISES AND SEMINARS

Exercises and deepening of knowledge through case study anlysis and, if possible, seminars organised with external scholars.

Skills acquired in unit 3

The ability to critically analyse a business report and to structure an analysis of a business case study

 

Readings/Bibliography

During the course, the teacher can provide students with specific teaching material that supplements the notes taken in class. However, this material is not sufficient to prepare for the exam.

Reference text

R.H. Garrison, E.W. Noreen, P.C. Brewer, M. Agliati, L. Cinquini - Programming and control - managerial accounting for business decisions, McGraw-Hill. 

Teaching methods

The teaching course is constituted by oral lessons, exercises and (it coud be) seminars.

The teaching module is divided into 3 teaching units: 2 teaching units (18 hours) are oral lessons and the third(12 hours) is dedicated to exercises, such as analyses of case study, about the issues developed throughout the module.

Seminars on topics developed during the course could take place in the third teaching unit.

“As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] on Health and Safety online”.

Assessment methods

The course of STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT is split into 2 teaching parts: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT I (code 85867) and II (code 85868). The exam is unique.

The final exam consists of two parts:

1. A written test covering the topics included in the syllabus for both modules. The test comprises open-ended questions (max. 5), each worth up to 5 marks, and multiple-choice questions (max. 15), each worth up to 3 marks. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. The marks awarded vary according to the difficulty of the question. Students are allowed 1 hour to complete the test; once the time is up, the test closes automatically.

During the test, the use of any supporting materials such as books, notes, slides, calculators, mobile phones and digital devices is not permitted.

The test is considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30.

2. An oral presentation accompanied by a visual aid (video with PowerPoint or other software) on a topic chosen by the student, incorporating elements related to the syllabuses of both modules. The presentation should preferably be delivered by groups of up to three students. Each student must present a part of the work carried out. The presentation may be delivered in Italian or English.

The evaluation crieria adopted relate to: mastery of the subject, clarity in the explanation, adequacy of the material presented, critical ability.

 

The final grade consists of the score obtained in the written test for 90% and the score obtained in the oral presentation evaluation for 10%.

 

Part of the lecture materials is supplied in English.

Students can take the final exam in English (both, presentation and test).

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

All lessons are held with the help of presentations in ppt

Equipment: Whiteboard, video projector, PC, internet access.

Videos with audio can be shown.

Online meetings with external experts and speakers are possible.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Castellini