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Course 2021-2022 a.y.

30587 - DATA-DRIVEN ANALYSIS AND DECISION-MAKING IN BUSINESS

Department of Management and Technology

Course taught in English

Go to class group/s: 31

BIEF (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/06)
Course Director:
LUISA GAGLIARDI

Classes: 31 (II sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: LUISA GAGLIARDI


Lezioni della classe erogate in presenza

Mission & Content Summary
MISSION

We live in the era of business uncertainty: adopting a more rational approach to decision-making and integrating a data-driven analysis in the decision process of firms can have profound effects. In this light, the course provides an overview about the process of using data to inform the decision-making process of firms and validate a course of action before committing to it. The goal of this course is to improve the student’s ability of making decisions in business by leveraging a structured approach based on theorizing about possible future scenarios and on the implementation of data-driven actions. The first part focuses on theoretical aspects of decision-making, while the second part focuses on data-driven analysis and interpretation of data from a business point of view. Through concrete and practical applications, students will learn how to diagnose business problems, offer appropriate solutions and generate innovative opportunities.

CONTENT SUMMARY

The course focuses on the best practices that a firm can adopt to make rational decisions namely:

 

  • A structured course of actions to make more rational decisions
  • A language to describe decisions and distinguish strategies, scenarios, and outcomes
  • Models and statistical techniques:
    • Structured descriptive statistics
    • Linear regression model
  • Applications and real cases using proper software (STATA)

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Identify the main sources of uncertainty and depict a well-structured approach to decision-making
  • Learn how to identify future scenarios and update the beliefs attached to them
  • Learn how to use and apply data in realistic business contexts
  • Improve your ability to diagnose business problems, offer appropriate solutions and generate innovative opportunities.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Adopt a more structured approach to identify the sources of uncertainty, imagine different actions to be implemented under possible future scenarios
  • Assess what data would be useful to make a more informed decision
  • Adopt a proper language to describe decisions and distinguish strategies, scenarios, and outcomes
  • Analyse data in business contexts approaches for choosing appropriate metrics and analytical methods
  • Derive business insights and predictions from data, elaborate and interpret data to inform quality decision making

Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face lectures
  • Case studies /Incidents (traditional, online)
  • Group assignments
  • Interactive class activities (role playing, business game, simulation, online forum, instant polls)
DETAILS

The learning experience of this course includes:

  • face-to-face lectures aimed at deepening the understanding of the theoretical foundation behind rational decision making and to master basic data analysis techniques;
  • case studies discussions concerning concrete examples of decisions problems in companies facing uncertainty. Interactive calss activities will be adopted to deepen the understanding of different options and foster class participation;
  • group assignments allowing students to confront with real business decisions and identify the best practices to deal with them.

 


Assessment methods
  Continuous assessment Partial exams General exam
  • Written individual exam (traditional/online)
  •     x
  • Group assignment (report, exercise, presentation, project work etc.)
  •     x
  • Active class participation (virtual, attendance)
  •     x
    ATTENDING STUDENTS

    Attending students’ assessment will be based on three main components:

     

    1. In-class participation (10% of the final grade) aimed at testing the student ability to interact in a multicultural environment and to think critically through contribution given to the class discussion.

    2. Group assignment (50% of the final grade) designed for the purpose of verifying the student ability to:

    ·      Analyse decisions problems and identify the main elements, namely the possible strategies, outcomes and scenarios

    ·      Analyse data applying the techniques learnt in class to address decisions problems

    ·      Work on a team to deliver a clear and articulated answer to real world business decisions

    3. Final written exam (40% of the final grade), based on multiple choices related to the topics covered in class, which aims to assess the student’s learning level of the methodologies and concepts discussed during the course.

     

    Attendance will be recorded. To take the exam as an attending student, an attendance rate equal to or higher than 75% must be reported.

    NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

    Written exam, (100% of the finale grade) based on a mix of multiple choice and open questions related to the topics covered in class, which aims to assess the student’s learning level of the methodologies and concepts discussed during the course.


    Teaching materials
    ATTENDING STUDENTS

    Slides and selected papers.

    NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

    Slides and selected papers.

    Hill, R. C., Griffiths, W. E., & Lim, G. C. (2018). Principles of econometrics. John Wiley & Sons. Selected chapters.

    Last change 25/06/2021 11:59