A78604 Company Networks Management and Design

Scuola di Economia e Management
Syllabus
Academic Year 2015/16 Second Semester

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course the student will be able:
a) to understand the importance of a network approach to organizations and their management;
b) to critically assess the relationship between organizational networks’ properties and a firm’s performance;
c) to apply theoretical concepts in real life situations;
d) to appreciate the impact of the issues discussed in the course in several “Made in Italy” industries, through the participation to a number of companies’ presentations.

Learning targets

To be able to identify in a specific situation the opportunity to create a network of companies, to be able to identify the nature and the caracteristics of the networks present in a  company

Course Content

The course presents the key features of the "Made in Italy" business model, specifically looking at the importance of a network approach to strategy making. The course integrates recent theoretical and methodological developments with company presentations.

Course Delivery

The course is structured in four main parts. In the first one the Social Network Analysi theory  and the applications.    The importance of organizational networks at different level is introduced and discussed using recent academic papers and practical lab sessions. This part will be delivered as a full time seminar including  short lectures,  group discussions on selected readings and some lab activities. The second part of the course mainly consists of company presentations: representatives from leading Italian firms will be invited to deliver presentations to students. The third part of the course the students will be grouped in small team-works required to deepen a specific issues related to the course content trough a specific analysis on the field. At the end of the classes a presentation will be required. The presenations will be followed by a discussion and an update on the status of the different group projects. The final part of the course will be dedicated to sistematize the various concepts learned in the course.

Course Evaluation

Course evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

Attending Students:
(i) final written exam, 50%
(ii) class participation, 20%
(iii) work project, 30%

Non Attending Students:
Oral exam based on 35 scientific papers (topic: networks)
The papers will be provided on the course material website.

Syllabus

Session 1
25/02/2016
Time: 09:30
Hours of lesson: 8
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

Course Introduction and seminar on Social Networks Analysis basic theories and applications

Readings:

Session 2
26/02/2016
Time: 09:30
Hours of lesson: 8
Instructor: R. De Vita

Topics:

Social Networks Analisys basic theories and applications

Readings:

Session 3
03/03/2016
Time: 11:00
Hours of lesson: 2
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

ABICI case

Readings:

Session 4
04/03/2016
Time: 10:00
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: F. Butera

Topics:

Introduction to the real cases presentations

Readings:

Session 5
10/03/2016
Time: 11:00
Hours of lesson: 2
Instructor: F. Butera

Topics:

The Conditions for Creating a Network Strategy: a perspective between strategy and organization

Readings:

Session 6
11/03/2016
Time: 10:00
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

 The aerospace programs as network of companies: the Gemelli case

Readings:

Session 7
17/03/2015
Time: 11:00
Hours of lesson: 2
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

 The Lombardy aerospace system

Readings:

Session 8
18/03/2016
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

Managing a cluster

Readings:

Session 9
31/03/2016
Time: 11:00
Hours of lesson: 2
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

The textile industry networks

Readings:

Session 10
01/04/2016
Time: 10:00
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

The Indian technology networks

Readings:

Session 11
07/04/2016
Time: 10:00
Hours of lesson: 2
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

Field work

Readings:

Session 12
08/04/2016
Time: 10:00
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

Field work

Readings:

Session 13
14/04/2016
Time: 10:00
Hours of lesson: 2
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

Field work

Readings:

Session 14
15/04/2016
Time: 10:00
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

Field work

Readings:

Session 15
21/04/2016
Time: 11:00
Hours of lesson: 2
Instructor: F. Papa

Topics:

How to create a cluster

Readings:

Session 16
22/04/2016
Time: 10:00
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: F. Papa

Topics:

The Lombardy cluster system

Readings:

Session 17
28/04/2016
Time: 11:00
Hours of lesson: 2
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

Group presentations

Readings:

Session 18
29/04/2016
Time: 10:00
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

Group presentations

Readings:

Session 19
05/05/2016
Time: 11:00
Hours of lesson: 2
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

Social system transformation: the role of networks

Readings:

Session 20
06/05/2016
Time: 10:00
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: A. Sinatra

Topics:

Course conclusions

Readings:

Session 21
12/05/2016
Time: 11:00
Hours of lesson: 2
Instructor: F. Papa

Topics:

Exam

Readings:


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