Management for innovation and sustainability

The course "Management for Innovation and Sustainability" is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how modern organizations can navigate the challenges of sustainable development through innovative business practices. Structured in two interconnected modules, the course combines a solid grounding in accounting for sustainability with an exploration of management approaches for the circular economy and responsible innovation.

The first module focuses on Accounting, offering the essential tools to measure, analyze, and report the economic, social, and environmental performance of organizations. Students will explore the main frameworks and standards in sustainability reporting, learn how to interpret and construct sustainability indicators, and understand how accounting practices can foster greater corporate transparency and accountability.

In detail, the module begins with the fundamentals of financial accounting, covering the nature and purpose of financial accounting, the basics of transaction analysis, and the preparation, use, and interpretation of general-purpose financial statements. Students will become familiar with basic accounting terminology and develop the ability to analyze and interpret the financial and economic performance of firms and companies.
The second part of the module introduces the foundations of sustainability accounting—also referred to as non-financial reporting—focusing mainly on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The aim is to understand the structure, main components, and indicators used to analyze the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of organizations, and how these practices support enhanced transparency and accountability.

At the end of the accounting module, students will be able to:
· Understand and apply the fundamentals of financial accounting and basic accounting terminology
· Analyze, interpret, and prepare general-purpose financial statements
· Evaluate the financial and economic performance of organizations
· Understand the principles and frameworks of sustainability accounting and non-financial reporting
· Interpret and use key ESG indicators, with a particular focus on the GRI and ESRS standards
· Assess how accounting practices contribute to greater transparency and accountability in organizations

The second module, Environmental management, covers the main themes that are transforming business today. Students will learn the principles and practices of the circular economy, sustainable and circular business models, and the core concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The module also addresses important current topics such as greenwashing, stakeholder engagement, and shared value creation, using frameworks like the Triple Layer Business Model Canvas and Shared Value Theory.

The course then focuses on innovation, introducing definitions and main drivers, as well as different models of the innovation process. Students will analyze real-world examples of sustainable, green, and twin innovations in different sectors. The aim is to give students a clear understanding of how innovation can contribute not only to technological progress but also to positive social and environmental outcomes.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
· Understand and apply the principles of the circular economy and sustainable business models.
· Identify the risks and opportunities related to greenwashing and CSR.
· Engage with stakeholders and apply shared value creation models.
· Assess and manage innovation processes, with a focus on sustainable and twin innovation.