Insegnamento a.a. 2008-2009

Course Objectives

This course is focused on the analysis of the characteristics of strategic management processes and issues within SMEs, which represent a relevant portion of the Italian GDP.
In particular, the first part of the program is devoted to the understanding of the definition of SME and to the study of the specificities both of small and medium firms and of family run and family owned businesses. The second part of the program deals with growth strategy processes of SMEs and considers the specific features related to the creation of a sustainable competitive advantage over time.

Course Content Summary

• First part: the Italian economic context; the specificities of SMSs; the qualitative and quantitative definition of SME; structural characteristics of the Italian firms; the industries where SMSs operate
• Second part: the strategic management approach and issues of SMSs; the rule of the entrepreneurial family on governance and management; the analysis of the succession process; collaborative, competitive and growth strategies of SMSs; the step form small to medium; vectors of growth (M&A, internationalization, diversification, etc.); the impact of the economic and financial dimension on growth strategies

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

The exam is in a written form both for attending and for non-attending students.
The students have tje faculty to ask for a "group work", which is an integration of the written test.

Textbooks

Textbooks are communicated to the classroom at the beginning of the first lesson

Prerequisites

Students attending this course are expected to already know the framework, the basic terminology and the essential tools of general management.