| COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course analyzes the Italian Business environment, the characteristics of its culture and its inner workings. Students will be able to understand the different types of Italian corporate cultures and the role of family businesses in Italy. The course allows students to assess some of the most popular Italian brands and learn why "made in Italy" is a leading brand in the world, despite recent influences and threats from foreign investors. Company cases and special guests will be an important part of this course and will allow students to relate theory to practice. |
| SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT: |
| LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will first explore why Italy’s business environment can be considered a relationship oriented culture rather than an information oriented one and analyze what this entails in terms of business practice and etiquette. They then study different management styles in Italy and the geographical and other factors that affect them. The course then examines the influence of the European Union on Italian corporate activity, the challenges faced by foreign companies in Italy, as well as recent developments in the country’s job market and labor laws. It then focuses on specific types of Italian companies and the important role of business districts, using a range of case-studies of brands and industries (such as FIAT, Eataly, Italian Parma cheese…) in order to analyze their development, challenges and strategies and to evaluate the reasons for the success of “Made in Italy brands”. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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| GRADING POLICY -ASSESSMENT METHODS:
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: A Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course. B This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. C This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings. D This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail. F This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant. -ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACADEMIC HONESTY As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SCHEDULE
Schedule (please note all guest speakers could be from remote and the calendar of their speeches can change)
Week 1
Monday 15th January (first day of classes): Introduction to the course.
Wednesday 17th January: The Italian Business Culture. (PART I)
Week 2
Monday, January 22nd: Introduction to the course. The Italian Business Culture. (PART II)
Wednesday, January 24th: GUEST LECTURE
Week 3
Monday, January 29th: Italian business etiquette (PART I).
Wednesday, January 31st: GUEST LECTURE:
Week 4
Monday, February 5th: Italian business etiquette (PART II).
Wednesday, February 7th: MADE IN ITALY/ Entry strategies: exporting and franchising
Week 5
Monday, February 12th: How to manage the heritage: a new way to make business. Corporate Museums.
Wednesday, February 14th: REVIEW for the TEST (1st assignment)
Week 6
Monday February 19th : Test: (20% of your grade). The test (individual assignment) will consist in 4 short open questions about the topics already discussed in the class.
Wednesday, February 21st: MADE IN ITALY/ Entry strategies, acquisition. Recent acquisitions of Italian brands, cases and class discussion.
Week 7
February 26th-March 1st (Mon-Fri) Spring Break
Week 8
Monday, March 4th: Review for the MID-TERM EXAM
Wednesday, March 6th: MID-TERM EXAM. (individual assignment). It will consist in writing an essay of maximum 1.500 words on one of the topics indicated by the professor.
Week 9
Monday, March 11st: Italian business districts. Made in Italy and China. Parallel markets.
Wednesday, March 13th: Focus on Centergross Fast Fashion District and Carpi Fashion District..
Week 10
Monday, March 18th: BUSINESS AND MARKETING IN ITALY/ tangible and intangible aspects. Brand stretching and diversification.
Wednesday, March 20th: GUEST LECTURE.
Week 11
Monday, March 25th: Women’s role in Italy Barriers and challenges for foreign companies: is it difficult to invest in Italy?
Wednesday, March 27th: GUEST LECTURE.
Week 12
Monday, April 1st: Food, Wine & Motors: The model of Emilia Romagna
Wednesday, April 3rd: Ducati case history, the Museum, the restaurant, the shop.
Week 13
Monday, April 8th: Nation, Region and City Branding
Wednesday, April 10th: GUEST LECTURE.
Week 14
Monday 15th April: Italian Families in Business: how they create a family corporate storytelling.
Wednesday, April 17th: GUEST LECTURE.
Week 15
Monday, April 22nd: Review, Work on the group project.
Last day of classes, Wednesday, April 24th: Presentation of group projects.
- Instructor: Giulia Rossi