Environmental Management
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the basics to analyze, in a dual perspective, strategic and operational, the issues related to environmental management in relation to companies and all types of organizations.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will be able to understand the principles that are at the base of the circular economy and of the new business models oriented not only to optimize economic performances but especially social and environmental ones with a view to sustainability, ethics and engagement of all stakeholders. The student will develop skills in the management of environmental problems in the magerial field.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Teaching Methods (With reference to possible changes in the delivery of teaching activities in case of health emergencies)
Lectures will be held both synchronously on the MS Teams platform, according to the first semester timetable, and asynchronously, as they will be recorded and made available to students on the Ariel platform of the Environmental Management course. The course will alternate between different teaching techniques: traditional lectures, seminar-based activities, case study analysis, and team project tutoring. Lessons may also include pre-recorded materials.
Syllabus and Reference Materials
The course syllabus remains unchanged. The content of individual lectures may be modified based on the teaching methods described above. Reference materials remain unchanged.
Assessment Methods and Evaluation Criteria
Online written exams will be carried out using the Moodela platform, according to the procedures described on the University portal. The written test will have the same structure as the one illustrated on the Ariel page of the course.
These modalities may be subject to changes and adjustments according to the needs of the instructor and the evolving Covid situation. The instructor will promptly update students regarding any changes in teaching and assessment methods.
Lectures will be held both synchronously on the MS Teams platform, according to the first semester timetable, and asynchronously, as they will be recorded and made available to students on the Ariel platform of the Environmental Management course. The course will alternate between different teaching techniques: traditional lectures, seminar-based activities, case study analysis, and team project tutoring. Lessons may also include pre-recorded materials.
Syllabus and Reference Materials
The course syllabus remains unchanged. The content of individual lectures may be modified based on the teaching methods described above. Reference materials remain unchanged.
Assessment Methods and Evaluation Criteria
Online written exams will be carried out using the Moodela platform, according to the procedures described on the University portal. The written test will have the same structure as the one illustrated on the Ariel page of the course.
These modalities may be subject to changes and adjustments according to the needs of the instructor and the evolving Covid situation. The instructor will promptly update students regarding any changes in teaching and assessment methods.
Course syllabus
Part I: Strategic Management and the Nature of Competitive Advantage
The course begins by addressing the process and concept of strategic management, with a particular focus on the value of vision, mission, and business objectives. The role of corporate governance and stakeholder management is explored in depth, as well as the importance of coherence and planning in the strategic direction of organizations.
This is followed by an analysis of the external environment using Porter's Five Forces model, and an examination of the general and competitive environment, national environments, and the creation of organizations attentive to environmental challenges.
Attention then turns to internal analysis, including the study of the value chain, the resource-based view approach, and the assessment of organizational performance.
The module deals with the nature of competitive advantage and its sustainability, examines different levels of strategy, and discusses the main cost, differentiation, and focus strategies, along with the factors influencing business competitiveness.
Special attention is given to international expansion processes, with a focus on international, global, and transnational strategies, value creation and diversification, outsourcing, acquisitions, strategic alliances, and business restructuring, including horizontal and vertical integration.
What students will take away at the end of Part I:
· The ability to interpret and apply the principles of strategic management.
· Skills in analyzing both the external context and the internal resources of an organization.
· Understanding of the main models of competitive advantage and their sustainability.
· The ability to assess expansion, diversification, and integration strategies, including in international contexts.
Part II: Environmental Management and Circular Business Models
The second part of the course focuses on exploring the relationships between companies, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders with regard to the challenges of environmental and natural resource management and sustainability.
Students will learn to identify and describe the factors and processes that drive organizations to integrate environmental and natural resource management into their business strategies, operational management, and overall supervision.
Significant attention is given to circular business models, with the analysis of real company cases that illustrate how businesses can innovate their processes and products by adopting circularity strategies to generate environmental, social, and economic value.
What students will take away at the end of Part II:
· A critical understanding of the main challenges and opportunities in environmental management within organizations.
· The ability to analyze the relationships between companies, institutions, and civil society on sustainability issues.
· Knowledge of, and the ability to assess, circular business models and their impact on the environment and competitiveness.
The course begins by addressing the process and concept of strategic management, with a particular focus on the value of vision, mission, and business objectives. The role of corporate governance and stakeholder management is explored in depth, as well as the importance of coherence and planning in the strategic direction of organizations.
This is followed by an analysis of the external environment using Porter's Five Forces model, and an examination of the general and competitive environment, national environments, and the creation of organizations attentive to environmental challenges.
Attention then turns to internal analysis, including the study of the value chain, the resource-based view approach, and the assessment of organizational performance.
The module deals with the nature of competitive advantage and its sustainability, examines different levels of strategy, and discusses the main cost, differentiation, and focus strategies, along with the factors influencing business competitiveness.
Special attention is given to international expansion processes, with a focus on international, global, and transnational strategies, value creation and diversification, outsourcing, acquisitions, strategic alliances, and business restructuring, including horizontal and vertical integration.
What students will take away at the end of Part I:
· The ability to interpret and apply the principles of strategic management.
· Skills in analyzing both the external context and the internal resources of an organization.
· Understanding of the main models of competitive advantage and their sustainability.
· The ability to assess expansion, diversification, and integration strategies, including in international contexts.
Part II: Environmental Management and Circular Business Models
The second part of the course focuses on exploring the relationships between companies, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders with regard to the challenges of environmental and natural resource management and sustainability.
Students will learn to identify and describe the factors and processes that drive organizations to integrate environmental and natural resource management into their business strategies, operational management, and overall supervision.
Significant attention is given to circular business models, with the analysis of real company cases that illustrate how businesses can innovate their processes and products by adopting circularity strategies to generate environmental, social, and economic value.
What students will take away at the end of Part II:
· A critical understanding of the main challenges and opportunities in environmental management within organizations.
· The ability to analyze the relationships between companies, institutions, and civil society on sustainability issues.
· Knowledge of, and the ability to assess, circular business models and their impact on the environment and competitiveness.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior skills are required
Teaching methods
The course will alternate different teaching techniques: lectures, seminars, case study analysis and tutoring of team work. Lessons may also include pre-recorded materials.
Teaching Resources
For attending students: Teaching and reading materials provided in class (available on the Ariel platform) through lectures, slides and case studies.
For non-attending students: Teaching and reading materials provided in class (available on the Ariel platform) and the reference books: Grant R.M., Jordan J., "Fondamenti di Strategia", il Mulino editore (chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) and as suggested reading Frey M., Iraldo F., "Il Management Ambientale e della Sostenibilità oltre i Confini Aziendali", Franco Angeli editore (chapters: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9)
For non-attending students: Teaching and reading materials provided in class (available on the Ariel platform) and the reference books: Grant R.M., Jordan J., "Fondamenti di Strategia", il Mulino editore (chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) and as suggested reading Frey M., Iraldo F., "Il Management Ambientale e della Sostenibilità oltre i Confini Aziendali", Franco Angeli editore (chapters: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a written test.
The written exam will consist of a set of exercises, including a combination of open-ended questions (4 open questions, each worth 4 points for a correct answer) and multiple-choice questions (16 MCQs, each worth 1 point for a correct answer), aimed at assessing students' ability to understand managerial issues. The duration of the written test is commensurate with the number and structure of the assigned exercises, but in any case, will not exceed 1,5 hours. There are a mid-term test and project works that replace the written test for the attending students. The results of the written tests and the intermediate tests will be communicated on the SIFA through the UNIMIA portal and/or through the Ariel platform. Please check the Ariel platform of the course before each exam for detailed information on classrooms, exam duration, format, and syllabus.
The written exam will consist of a set of exercises, including a combination of open-ended questions (4 open questions, each worth 4 points for a correct answer) and multiple-choice questions (16 MCQs, each worth 1 point for a correct answer), aimed at assessing students' ability to understand managerial issues. The duration of the written test is commensurate with the number and structure of the assigned exercises, but in any case, will not exceed 1,5 hours. There are a mid-term test and project works that replace the written test for the attending students. The results of the written tests and the intermediate tests will be communicated on the SIFA through the UNIMIA portal and/or through the Ariel platform. Please check the Ariel platform of the course before each exam for detailed information on classrooms, exam duration, format, and syllabus.
Professor(s)
Reception:
Send an email to [email protected] for an appointment
via celoria 2, first building, first floor, room 19