CHANGE MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY

The aim of the course is to provide the preliminary knowledge deemed necessary for the transition towards a responsible and sustainable business model, in the awareness that global phenomena (such as the recent Covid-19 pandemic but also phenomena related to climate change, socio-political crises, etc.) can upset the competitive ecosystem of the company.
The course provides students with an overview of the most crucial managerial challenges embedded in the relationship between the company, its competitive environment and the broader business ecosystem. In the light of the themes highlighted by the World Economic Forum in the most recent "Global Risks Report" available, the course leads students to gain awareness of the process through which changes in the macroeconomic and global framework are reflected in business activities, including impacts at the local level. Secondly, the student learns the basics for the analysis of these phenomena and for their communication to the stakeholders, in the form of sustainability reporting. Finally, through the business model innovation approach, the student will propose (through both an individual contribution and through group-works) a managerial response to the challenges described in the first part of the course.

At the end of the course, students will: a) acquire full awareness of some main phenomena classified by the World Economic Forum as global risks; b) be able to analyze the business impact of one or more of these phenomena, chosen among the most relevant for the economic implications; c) acquire the ability to communicate and to highlight the complex relationships between global risks and the business of the company, through the use of specific tools for sharing the analysis and for the representation of results; d) simulate (in a series of exercises carried out partly individually and partly in working groups), the organizational process for the definition of a business model innovation in response to a specific macro-thematic chosen. To achieve this learning objective, in addition to lectures, the course includes group exercises in the classroom, the results of which are an integral part of supporting the final exam.

There are no prerequisites.
A bachelor-level knowledge of management is advisable.

Introduction to the course
Notes on change management
The strategic approach to the governance of change
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development and Sustainable Organisation
Mapping the Drivers of change
The organisation's ESG
Steering the change

The basic concepts for the examination are contained in the text:
Ha, H. (2014). Change management for sustainability. Business Expert Press.
e-book available from University Library System:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/unive3-ebooks/reader.action?docID=1702428

Additional teaching materials, including the course slides, will be made available during the course in electronic format on the Moodle platform
https://moodle.unive.it/

The examination is written, in-person, and consists of a 30-minute test as follows
- four closed-ended questions, delivered via Moodle tests. Each test awards +3 points if done correctly, -1 point in case of a wrong answer or no answer.
- Two open-ended questions. A Moodle task will be displayed to answer these questions. Each open-ended question awards a mark ranging from 0 to 9 points depending on the completeness and quality of the answer.

The examination is open book. The assignments are given through the Moodle platform and each student will have to deliver his/her assignment through the Moodle platform.

The general evaluation criteria for reports and open questions are the following:
- completeness and precision, with respect to the topic assigned;
- rigorousness of terminology and, in general, professionalism;
- quality of the sources and accuracy of citations,
- degree of comprehension achieved by the student about the course topic, measured (for instance but not only) through the capability of students to propose their own examples or own way of explaining concepts and theories.
- correct application of the tools and concepts explained in the course;

Specific evaluation criteria will depend on the assignment.
Please note: the tasks assigned will be very specific and circumscribed. The answers to the questions should be precise as well.
Generic and off-topic talk, as well as unsourced data and information, will result in penalties. Plagiarism and the use of AI tool-generated text will result in penalties or failure, and possible further sanctions. If you don't know what plagiarism is, check https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills/plagiarism

During classes, tasks and exercises might be given, which will provide bonus points for the final exam.

Lectures, class discussion, laboratories and case-study development, possibly in cooperation with third parties

English

Students are encouraged to use a laptop or a tablet during classes

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development