Business Administration

This course provides students with a further grounding in the important statistical and probabilistic techniques and models relevant to the non-life insurance industry.

This course introduces the basics of business analytics, which uses data and models to make business decisions. It focuses on descriptive analytics and predictive analytics, and covers detailed topics such as data management, data visualization and summary, hypothesis testing, linear regression models, logistic regression models, decision trees, and data mining. The goal of this course is for students to 1) identify key factors in business decisions, 2) apply various tools and techniques to make evidence-based business decisions, and 3) effectively explain and communicate those decisions to various audiences and stakeholders. 

This course focuses on learning how to structure and solve complex decision problems and analyzing their property and solutions quantitatively. It covers advanced theories, algorithms, and applications of management science in the context of quantitative decision modeling and optimization. Topics include the theory and applications of linear, nonlinear, integer programming, as well as advanced modeling approaches to optimization problems under various sources of uncertainty. Students will also explore recent advances in the field, including integration with machine learning, and address real-world decision challenges across various domains, ranging from finance, marketing, and production to healthcare, sports management, and humanitarian operations. The course involves hands-on learning using relevant languages (e.g., Excel, Python) and state-of-the-art solvers. A basic understanding of mathematical optimization and probability is required. 

The course introduces students to the fundamental principles of management accounting, financial management, and financial institutions. Students learn how accounting information can be used by managers to make crucial decisions, such as pricing of products or services, discontinuing or offering new products, and expanding the product/service range or investing in new product development.  Students are introduced to various topics in management accounting and financial management, including cost behavior, cost-volume-profit analysis, costing systems, budgeting, variance analysis, performance measurement, and capital budgeting. As the course progresses, students are introduced to some key concepts in financial management, such as the role of financial markets and financial institutions, capital structure, and risk. The course provides students with a solid foundation in management accounting and financial management, allowing them to apply their knowledge in real-world situations.

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. 

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale degree program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. This course is meant to provide theoretical concepts and managerial tools to (a) understand and analyze the main models underlying organizational behavior and people management; (b) develop and increase critical skills in decision making through the analysis of the impact of theories; c) identify problem solving approaches through discussion of case studies.

The course is divided into 3 parts: The Individual in Organizations; Group and Team Processes; Power, Politics and Conflicts.

At the end of the course, students: know the salient characteristics of individuals, work teams, and organizational processes that influence organizational performance in face-to-face and virtual work settings; are capable of analyzing risks and opportunities of different work designs, managing complex decision processes, and detecting and implementing strategies to solve organizational conflicts, particularly in globally distributed teams.

The course is concerned with the ways in which accounting information can assist 'internal' users (i.e. management) to make decisions and to plan and control organizational activities. Such 'management accounting' is relevant to all kinds of organizations. Although concentrated on accounting information, an important emphasis in the approach adopted in the course is the need to see the use of accounting in its organizational context and the effect it can have on human behavior. Various management accounting concepts are introduced and illustrated through practical examples of various numerical techniques. Alternative cost concepts are explored for both recording the costs of existing operations and for taking decisions about new opportunities. Special attention is given to cost-volume-profit analysis, product pricing, special decisions, and allocation decisions when resources are limited. In addition, the construction of budgets for planning and the use of standard costing and variance analysis for control are examined. The course also introduces the concept and design performance measurement systems in decentralized organizations.

This course introduces students to international marketing, focusing on the complexities of operating in diverse and unfamiliar environments. Students build knowledge of the international environment and the unique challenges facing international marketers, including increased scope, risk, and uncertainty. Students learn to identify and manage differences, opportunities, and threats across varied economic, demographic, political/legal, cultural, technical, and competitive environments. Students connect international issues to marketing decision-making at three levels: macro level, where country selection decisions are made; national level, where market entry decisions are considered; market level, where marketing mix decisions are implemented.

This course covers basic concepts in real estate finance, including basic concepts in mortgages, time value of money, income producing property taxes, and real estate investment and accounting issues. In addition, this course covers current issues in real estate finance, such as household debt or sub-prime crisis in the US. At the end of this lecture, the course briefly introduces how to manage micro-level data and calculate some statistical moments. Topics include Mortgage loan foundation: The time value of money, Fixed interest rate mortgage loan, Adjustable and floating rate mortgage loans, Mortgages: Additional concepts, analysis, and applications, Single-family housing: Pricing, Investment, and tax consideration, Underwriting and financing residential properties, Understand a toy mortgage default model (one-sided limited commitment model), Income-producing properties: Leases, rents, and the market for space, Investment analysis and taxation of income properties, Financial leverage and financing alternatives, and Risk analysis. 

Prerequisite: Macroeconomics, financial economics, econometric, and economic mathematics are recommended. 

The course provides a fundamental understanding of the environment in which international business operates and of the business practices required to compete successfully in global markets. This course gives an overview of challenges and opportunities of competing in the global marketplace. It helps students develop the decision-making skills associated with managing different aspects of international business. Furthermore, the course exposes students to the cultural, economic, political environment of international business and internationalist strategies, and the management of international business.