University of Commerce Luigi Bocconi

The ability of the natural environment to dispose the waste of anthropogenic activities (keeping unchanged degree of regeneration) is not infinite (downstream “scarcity”). This kind of “scarcity” justifies using the tools of economic theory to face environmental problems. In this regard, two circumstances should be adequately emphasized. Firstly, today the most important (at least perceived) environmental problem is climate change due to the anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide. Secondly, more than 80% of carbon emissions are due to energy production and consumption. As a consequence, fighting climate change requires to adequately study the interaction between energy and environmental issues with the aim to understand how to mitigate global warming through (but not only) the decarbonization of energy supply. The analysis of this interaction is the principal mission of this course. The course is divided into three parts: 1) The first part focuses on how economic theory can help policymakers to design environmental policies. The main environmental tools are described and analyzed (environmental taxation, emissions trading, standards, voluntary agreements, etc.); 2) the second part introduces the main energy markets (crude oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear power and renewable energy). Great attention is dedicated to the perspectives of deployment of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), their competitiveness and the possible supporting mechanisms (quantity, pricing and hybrid supporting mechanisms); 3) The third part focuses on the policies aimed to achieve the net zero emission target, especially at the EU level. 

This course emphasizes the pivotal role of data and innovation in transforming society, with a deep dive into the implications of data utilization and technological advances. It highlights the transformative power of AI in fostering innovation and societal change. Starting with an overview of innovation in service systems, with a particular focus on public services, the course offers a comprehensive curriculum that explores the foundational principles of AI technologies such as machine learning and natural language processing. Students will investigate how these innovations drive significant changes across various public sectors, including healthcare, urban development, education, arts and culture, and the operations of international organizations. Enhancing the learning experience, the course will feature guest speakers from diverse fields, providing firsthand insights into the challenges and successes of AI implementation. Additionally, case studies will be integrated throughout the course to offer real-world contexts for the concepts discussed, and on-site visits to organizations actively utilizing AI will give students practical exposure to the dynamics of AI in action. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge, analytical frameworks, and practical skills to: •Develop strategies that enhance service efficiency and value, particularly in the public context; •Create innovative solutions to societal issues using AI and Machine Learning.

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses face both immense opportunities and significant challenges. The pervasiveness of digital channels and artificial intelligence is reshaping the business landscape, giving rise to innovative business models and transforming the way companies interact with their customers. The Digital Strategy course delves into the intricacies of this dynamic environment, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to navigate these transformative changes and thrive in the digital era. This course aims to deepen the evolution of policies and strategies for interaction with the market and innovation in the field of the digital economy. The main emerging business models and their management principles are analyzed, with reference both to players present exclusively online, whose main objective is to use the network to directly create value, as well as to companies that use the Web and mobile technology to enhance and complete their traditional activities, according to an intrinsically integrated strategic approach. In this perspective, the most recent developments in content management, gamification, metaverse, and digital products are explored. The courses features technology-enhanced lectures, guest speakers who will bring their real-world experience and expertise, case studies, and group work. 

Creativity is an increasingly important skill for contemporary workers, and a key ingredient of organizations' ability to survive and thrive. As creativity is an important source of competitive advantage, organizations are increasingly seeking to foster it; yet, at the same time, organizations and society more broadly often end up stifling creativity in individuals, leading to a loss of confidence, talent, and good ideas. The objectives of this course are (1) to help students discover, develop, and protect your creative ability; and (2) to provide them with a richer understanding on how creativity can be enhanced and managed in a work setting. Students learn about the basic features of creativity and creative processes, both short-term and over longer time periods, and on how to nurture creativity in themselves and others, stimulating factors that enhance creativity and removing the barriers that impede it. The course looks at creativity in many domains, including business, science and technology, the arts, and day-to-day life more broadly. Classes are largely "hands-on", relying on exercises, class discussion, guest speakers, and case studies, as well as on lectures and readings. The course is structured in two parts. In the first part, students focus on themselves and acquire knowledge regarding (1) what creativity is, (2) how to build, feed, and stimulate creativity, and (3) the journey of an idea from inception to implementation. In the second part, students acquire knowledge on (1) how to manage creativity in organizations, (2) how to work effectively in creative teams, and (3) what does it mean to lead effectively for creativity. 

This course introduces students to the visual arts and to the questions and knowledge that they generate. Looking at a variety of artwork across different periods and media (painting, sculpture, graphic arts, photography and film, digital arts, video, etc.), and discussing some key themes/questions pertinent to artistic research and practice, this course advocates an understanding of the visual arts as a specific way of thinking about the world, knowing reality and acting upon it. This course encourages students to critically investigate a set of key issues, including: the status of the image and of representation; the nature of artistic creativity; the significance and implications of critical analysis; interpretation of the visual, particularly in relation to modernity. The course requires students to engage with a diverse range of secondary literature (historical and critical essays, biographies, literary texts, philosophical essays, etc.). This course combines traditional frontal teaching (lectures) with seminar-based activities. When possible, the course will also comprise on–site visits to relevant art collections, institutions and/or exhibitions. Visual analysis and critical thinking play a central role: image or text–based exercises are assigned throughout the course. Students are expected to participate in class discussions.

This course studies how political institutions shape economic outcomes and how key social and economic factors, such as education, the media, and lobbying, shape political outcomes. It also covers contemporary issues in political economics, such as the causes/consequences of the rise in populism and political polarization, the political economics of climate change, and conflict and violence. The course has a strong empirical focus and covers latest empirical evidence in political economics. Hence, beyond political economics, the course deepens knowledge of cutting-edge empirical methods for causal inference ("applied microeconomics") and deepens experience in applying those methods to (large) datasets in practice. Part 1 explores economic theories seeking to understand political behavior and its implications for economic policies and institutions, as well as how modern empirical methods are used in political economics analysis. Part 2 uses these methods to study three key areas of empirical political economics: 1) how political institutions--such as democratic- and non-democratic forms of government--shape economic outcomes; 2) how key social and economic factors, such as education, the media, and lobbying, shape political outcomes; 3) contemporary issues in political economics (including, among other topics, the causes and consequences of the rise in populism and political polarization; the political economics of climate change; conflict and violence). 
(Bocconi also offers courses 30335-Political Economics, as part of the degree program in Intl Politics & Govt.)

This course examines competing hypotheses on the role of geography, institutions, and culture for long-term economic growth and cross-country differences in economic outcomes. It also studies the role of religion (and religiosity) for accumulation of human capital and economic progress. Finally, the course analyzes how cultural distance may affect migrants’ assimilation and it studies how local culture and institutions shape technological progress and inflows of innovative ideas. 
Themes discussed include: The Role of Geography for Economic Growth and Development; The Role of Institutions for Economic Growth and Development; The Role of Culture for Economic Growth and Development; The beginning of modern economic growth: geography, institutions, and culture; The Interaction between Culture and Institutions; Flows of Technology and Flows of Ideas; The Economics of Religion; Diversity, migration, and assimilation.