87428 - Fundamentals In Healthcare Management

Academic Year 2024/2025

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Economics and Public Policy (cod. 5945)

    Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Health Economics and Management (cod. 5902)

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the practices and concepts of management and their applications in healthcare through the definition of both the task of management, and the key tools adopted. After focusing on the specific perspective of management science, the impact of institutional context on organizational choices are presented, shifting the attention from the government of healthcare system to the management of healthcare organizations. Healthcare management issues are assessed in the light of organization's strategies, with a specific focus on different categories of managerial choices concerning: (1) Organizational design process; (2) Leadership and human resources; (3) Performance measurement system; (6) Partnership with other organizations; (6) Clinical governance and Quality.

Course contents

A comprehensive study of the fundamentals of management, including an array of core models for analysis and control of the management functions in a business organization. The course covers key aspects of management integrated by cases and examples related to the heath, pharma and biotech industries.

Introduction to management and its functions

Social Responsibility and Ethics

Organizational Culture and Change

Strategy and Decision-Making

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Structure and Design of Organizations

Leadership, Motivation

Managing in a Global Environment

Readings/Bibliography

Textbooks of reference:

  • Gomez-Mejia, L.R. Balkin, D.B. and Cardy R. L., (2012). Management. McGraw-Hill (Chapters 1-3-4-5-8-9-12-13-14). You can also use other editions of the book (just compare the table of contents).
  • Collis, D.J., and Montgomery, C.A., (2005). Corporate Strategy, A Resource-Based Approach 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill (Chapters 1-2-3).
  • Hill, C.W. Global Business Today, 11th Ed. Irwin, New York, UK: McGraw-Hill (Chapters 1-2-4-8-12-13).

Case studies

They will be provided before course start

Teaching methods

Lectures and discussion: Lectures will cover content from the readings, provide an organized overview the topics, and cover complementary aspects and conceptual reasoning. In-class participation during the lectures and case discussions is recommended.

Case study work and presentation (group-based): Cases will illustrate and expand the lectures, and allow for practice in management and leadership of group work. Cases analysis will be prepared, presented and discussed in groups and in separate sessions. This activity will be valuated and contributes to the final grading.

Assessment methods

Evaluation of student performance in this course will be based on the assigned tasks/presentation, and a final written exam. Students are expected to be active during the class and particularly in the discussion of case studies.

The final grade is composed as follows:

50%: In-class work

50%: Final written exam (multiple choice and open-ended questions)

Non-attending students: your written exam will be counting for 100% of the grade.

Teaching tools

The course will be held using different types of resources. PowerPoint presentations of the lectures will be made available online.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Ciabuschi