Insegnamento a.a. 2015-2016

Go to class group/s: 31

CLEAM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/07) - CLEF (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/07) - CLEACC (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/07) - BESS-CLES (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/07) - BIEMF (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/07)

Course Director:
CARLO SALVATO

Course Objectives

This course aims at developing students’ skills in analyzing the specific features of family firms, in assessing their key problems and opportunities, and in creatively proposing strategic, organizational and governance solutions. The course is targeted to the next generation of members of controlling-families, and to all those students who may be willing to start their career in a family or private firm, or to become consultants and advisors to family firms. The course is targeted in particular to developing each participant’s leadership skills in introducing entrepreneurial innovations in established organizational contexts such as family firms, and in contributing to their renewal and competitive success.

This highly interactive course includes active simulations, role plays, videos, guest lectures and real-case discussions. There is no mid-term or final exam. The evaluation is mainly grounded on the development (individually or in small groups of 2/3 participants) of a teaching case (similar to those discussed in class) or of an academic paper (similar to a research paper). The teaching case or academic paper is autonomously selected by the student (or small group of students). Drafts of sections of the case/paper are presented and discussed in class throughout the course, to facilitate their gradual development. The best teaching cases developed by students may be used for discussion in subsequent years. Academic papers may become the starting point for developing the student’s Final Paper. IMPORTANT NOTE: This course requires constant attendance (maximum 5 unattended classes) since the first class (for attending students), and compulsory attendance at the three classes in which teamwork is scheduled. It is suggested NOT to select this course if assiduous attendance since the first class, and throughout the course, is not possible.

Course Content Summary

• Family firms: key features and presence in Italy and other countries.
• Key values and principles behind the success of the family-firm system.
• Strategic management in family firms.
• Strategic choices of family firms: growth, internationalization, acquisitions, external financing.
• Strategy and structure: the role of non-family managers.
• Strategy and structure: the role of boards of directors and of independent board members.
• Training future leaders.
• Succession in leadership positions.

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

For Attending students will be assessed as follows:

ACTIVITY - WEIGHT

• Academic Paper or Teaching Case: 22 points (about 73%)
• Individual peer feedback on teams’ handouts: 6 points (about 20%)
• Total 31 points* (100%)

(*)The assessment adds up to 31 points to allow the best performing participants reach the top final mark of 30 plus honors.
- Both elements of this evaluation scheme must be completed in order to pass the course as attending students.
- There will be no re-weighting of components within the course.
- There will be no closing exam (but students must register for the first exam date, without having to be present: the final mark will thus be automatically recorded).

Retake Rules. Students who fail the paper project (Academic paper or Teaching case) may retake it. This requires doing new research on a different company/topic than the one analyzed for the original project. The intention to retake the paper project must be communicated by email to the instructor. The due date for a retake is 4 calendar weeks after receiving your original paper grade.
For Non-attending students:
100% final written exam in class based uniquely on the two indicated textbooks.

Textbooks

For Non attending students:

Exam textbooks & Online Articles (check availability at the Library)

Last change 08/05/2015 12:36