79252 - Fundamentals of Management

Learning outcomes

The goal of this course is to provide students with a framework of the core concepts of firms’ management. Through the learning of the course content, students will gain fundamental knowledge and skills for management and will develop analytical and critical thinking skills. By the end of the course students will understand the main management problems, learn about strategic decision management, and will are able to apply tools and techniques useful to support management's processes. Specifically, the learning objectives for students are: o To acquire knowledge of key principles of management and be able to critically apply this knowledge to the analysis of case studies o To understand and apply a selected management topic to a real organizational setting o To be able to discuss with others the key management principles and showing application of knowledge to case study material

Course contents

OVERVIEW

In today's dynamic and increasingly complex business environment, managers are required to make decisions that shape the direction and performance of organisations. Understanding how organisations operate, compete, and create value requires not only knowledge of the core functions of management but also an appreciation of the strategic challenges firms face in rapidly changing markets.

This module introduces the fundamental concepts and principles of management through a strategic perspective. Students will explore how managers analyse organisational environments, assess internal resources and capabilities, develop competitive strategies, and make decisions concerning innovation, growth, and organisational change. Through lectures, case studies, and class discussions, the module develops students' ability to apply management concepts and analytical frameworks to real organisations and contemporary business challenges.

Particular emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills that provide a foundation for more advanced studies in business and management.

STRUCTURE

Teaching materials, lecture slides and additional readings will be made available on Virtuale. The module combines lectures, case studies and class discussions to connect management theory with contemporary business practice.

Session 1 Course Introduction & What is Strategy?

Session 2 Understanding the External Environment: Industry Analysis

Session 3 Managing Internal Resources & Capabilities

Session 4 Creating Competitive Advantage

Session 5 Strategic Decision-Making and Innovation

Session 6 Managing Corporate Scope and Diversification

Session 7 Growth Strategies, Alliances and Cooperation

Session 8 Managing Innovation

Session 9 Strategy, Stakeholders and Crisis Management

Session 10 Groups' presentation

 

Readings/Bibliography

ATTENDING STUDENTS
(i.e., students participating in the group presentation and class activities)
Required Readings:
Lecture slides.
Reading package.
Case study package.
(Slides, readings, case studies, and additional materials will be made available by the instructor through the Virtuale platform.)

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
(i.e., students not participating in the group presentation and class activities)
Required Readings:
All materials listed above.
Whittington, R., Regnér, P., Angwin, D., Johnson, G., & Scholes, K. Exploring Strategy, 13th edition, Pearson.
Non-attending students are expected to study the relevant textbook chapters indicated for each lecture, together with all teaching materials available on Virtuale.

 

Teaching methods

The module seeks to achieve its learning objectives by combining lectures with the discussion of real business cases and the application of strategic management frameworks to contemporary organisations. Students will be encouraged to develop analytical and critical thinking skills through active participation in class discussions and the preparation of a company analysis. The module encompasses the following elements:

• Lectures delivered by the instructor;
• Class discussions based on case studies and contemporary business examples;
• Guided application of strategic management frameworks to real organisations;
• Group work culminating in an oral presentation analysing a company's strategic challenges and recommendations;
• Feedback sessions on classroom activities.

Assessment methods

The assessment differs depending on attendance, as follows.

ATTENDING STUDENTS

(i.e., students participating in the group presentation and class activities)

The assessment consists of a written examination and a group oral presentation based on the analysis of a real company.

The breakdown of the final mark is as follows:

Component Weight (%)

Written Examination 50%

Group Oral Presentation 50%

The final mark is determined by the weighted average of the two assessment components specified above.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

(i.e., students not participating in the group presentation and class activities)

The assessment consists of a written examination covering all the material discussed during the module, including lecture slides, case studies, readings, and the required textbook.

Component Weight (%)

Written Examination 100%

Assessment Structure

Written Examination

The final exam is a written exam where students are expected to critically reflect on one or more theme(s) covered during the module. The typical structure consists of two or three open-ended questions prompting students to reflect critically on course topics.

Group Oral Presentation (Attending Students Only)

Students will work in groups of up to analyse a company (from a chosen list distributed in virtuale by the end of week 5), prepare a report and present their findings during the final week of the module. The presentation should demonstrate the application of the concepts and analytical frameworks introduced during the course to evaluate the firm's strategic position, identify key challenges, and develop evidence-based recommendations.

The theoretical maximum number of points achievable in each of these components is 32. Each written component will be evaluated on the basis of its precision, accuracy, and demonstration of critical thinking. The oral component (final presentation), will be evaluated on the basis of its quality, clarity and persuasiveness.

 

Examination Policy

Registration for the examination must be completed through AlmaEsami, and examination results will be published on the same platform.

From the academic year 2026/27 onwards, both examinations composing the integrated course (Fundamentals of Management and Organization, Teams and Digital Leadership) must be successfully completed within the same academic year. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of the grade obtained in the examination already passed.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities should contact the appropriate University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) as early as possible to agree with the instructor on any appropriate accommodations for teaching and assessment.

 

 

Teaching tools

Tools, platforms, and resources used during the course include:

Learning platform: Virtuale (virtuale.unibo.it), which provides lecture slides, case studies, required readings, assessment guidelines, and other teaching materials.

Presentation software: PowerPoint.

Communication tools: University e-mail, Microsoft Teams (where required), and the discussion forum on Virtuale.

Other digital resources: Company reports, business press articles, videos, and other online resources used to support lectures and case discussions.

The course makes extensive use of real-world case studies and publicly available company information to facilitate the application of management concepts and strategic frameworks to contemporary business practice. Teaching materials and announcements will be made available through Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Li Pira