ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT OF RURAL AND AGROINDUSTRIAL FIRMS

Economics and Management of agricultural and agro-industrial companies is optional in the master's degree courses of the departments of Economics and Management.
The course aims to provide students with the tools to describe and analyse the agro-industrial system as a whole in light of the growing phenomenon of globalization and regionalization of markets. A significant part of the course is dedicated to the analysis of the efficiency of agri-food companies, assessed through different methodological approaches, and company choices. Within the instruments of concentration of the supply, ample space is dedicated to the cooperative enterprise. In consideration of the growing integration of the agricultural sector with other sectors and of the importance of agricultural activities in the environment, in the territory and in the society, the topics dealt with consider economic dynamics, disciplinary approaches and the regulations with a view to comparison and similarity. The course also provides a discussion of some specific case studies.

1. Remembering and understanding
1.1 Understanding and recognizing the trends of the various components of the agri-food and agro-industrial sector
1.2 Understanding and recognizing the causes of business inefficiency
1.3 Understanding and recognizing the main legal and tax laws of the primary sector
1.4 Understanding and recognizing the role of the agro-industrial agri-food sector in the different economic contexts.

Applying and analizing
2.1 Identifying future scenarios of the agri-food and agro-industrial markets
2.2 Identifying possible solutions for overcoming corporate inefficiency
2.3 Applying different legal and tax laws to companies in the sector
2.4 Analysing the financial statement of individual and associated agro-industrial enterprises

Evaluating
3.1 interpreting the functioning of the agri-food and agro-industrial markets in light of macroeconomic, geopolitical, environmental and social variables
3.2 Reflecting on the causes of corporate inefficiency and identifying possible solutions for individual and associated companies
3.3 Drawing up a company balance sheet and interpreting the articles of association (if any)

Having passed the basic examinations of Business Administration. In particular, it is necessary to master company balance sheet

1. The agro-industrial system and its components (world, Europe, Italy)
2. Legal, tax and policy systems
3. The methods of analysing corporate efficiency
4. Financial statements as a tool for analysing corporate efficiency
5. Cooperative enterprises in the agro-industrial and agro-food sectors

M. BRUNA ZOLIN (2010), Economia e Gestione dell'Azienda Agraria e Agroindustriale, Appunti per studenti di laurea magistrale, Quaderni di Didattica, Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche.
ISMEA (2015), La competitività dell'agroalimentare italiano. Check up 2015, (www.ISMEA.it)

Further reading
L. IACOPONI - R. ROMITI (1994), Economia e Politica Agraria, Edagricole,Bologna, capp. X, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XXIII, XXIV, Annex II (from page 543 to page 578) E. MAZZOLI, S. ZAMAGNI (2005) a cura di, Verso una nuova teoria economica della cooperazione, Il Mulino.

Teaching materials, in addition to the suggested books, are available on the Moodle page of the course and must to be consulted (https://moodle.unive.it/user/index.php?roleid=0&sifirst=&silast=&id=846 )

The exam is written and is based on the assessment of the expected learning outcomes. The exam, which lasts about 60 minutes, is usually divided into three questions, two of which are theoretical and one on the analysis of a case study, taken from a short article. The first two are mainly targeted at the measurement of the ability to apply knowledge and understanding; the analysis of the case study at the ability to judge.
The minimum pass score on the exam is 18 points.
A list of theoretical questions and analysis of some cases are available on the moodle platform.
Books, notes or electronic media are not allowed during the exam

The course mainly follows a conventional teaching approach combined with e-learning activities. The conventional approach essentially aims to provide students with the tools to describe and analyze agro-industrial agri-food companies and to apply acquired knowledge and skills. The e-learning activities are directed, above all, but not only, to verify the degree of judgment acquired

Italian

written