History and evolution Business Models

Course objectives

The course of History and Evolution of Business Models provides students with the necessary knowledge to understand the evolution of business models in the last 150 years, with particular attention to the global context and subsequently to the Italian case. Through lectures, case studies and group works, students will be able to acquire an understanding of internal decision-making mechanisms of firms and the influence of external variables that lead to the strategic choice of the form of business according to the targets set by the managerial structure. Knowledge and understanding: The course provides students with the knowledge to identify the different forms of business organization and why they change over space and time. In particular, it allows the student to understand the impact of technological change on the opportunities and challenges that entrepreneurs and organizations face and to understand both the context in which decisions are made and the concept of bounded rationality. Application skills: By carrying out classroom exercises, case studies and group works, the course supports students in the analysis and resolution of complex business problems. At the end of the course, students will be able to understand the interaction between endogenous and exogenous factors that over time and space produce the modifications of business forms. Critical and judgment skills: The contents and methods used in the course allow students to develop the ability to analyze the evolution of capitalist models on a global scale. Communication skills: students will develop written and oral communication skills to convey the fundamental themes addressed by the discipline in accordance with the scientific method prevalent in the international community. Learning skills: The course guarantees the acquisition of a high level of autonomy in managing the study and own personal learning. This is made possible through the use of qualitative (Chandlerian paradigm) and quantitative-analytical (agency theory, game theory, transaction cost and information economics) investigation tools that can be extended to related disciplines.

Channel 1
MAURO ROTA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The neoclassical firm: The first industrial revolution and its forms of business Big business: the second industrial revolution, the Chandlerian paradigm. Case study: DuPont. The development of marketing Globalization and its forms of business: multinationals, conglomerates. Case study: Unilever The New Economy Business Model: the third industrial revolution. The Lazonick model. Case study: Apple and Tesla Alternative Forms of Capitalism: European Capitalism and Asian Capitalism Italian capitalism and its forms of business: technology and business, large companies, SMEs, business groups and industrial districts
Prerequisites
A good knowledge of the basic principles of economics, accounting and managerial sciences is required. A basic understanding of historical events from the mid-nineteenth century onwards is desirable.
Books
Amatori F. e Colli A., Storia d’impresa: complessità e comparazioni, Pearson, 2022 (capitoli 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23). [In alternativa l’edizione 2011, Bruno Mondadori. I capitoli sono i medesimi.] Lazonick, W. (2009). The new economy business model and the crisis of US capitalism. Capitalism and society, 4(2). Giannetti R. e Vasta M., Storia dell'impresa italiana, il Mulino, 2012 limitatamente ai capitoli 4, 5 e 6. Jones G. and Zeitlin J. The Oxford Handbook of Business History, capitoli 7 e 8 Harzing, A. W. (2000). An empirical analysis and extension of the Bartlett and Ghoshal typology of multinational companies. Journal of international business studies, 31(1), 101-120.
Frequency
Attendance is not mandatory but it is highly recommended
Exam mode
The exam takes place in written form and possibly in oral form. The written evaluation consists of two tests: Intermediate exam that weighs 1/3 of the written evaluation. It covers the topics of the first eight lessons. Final exam which weighs 2/3 of the written evaluation. It covers the topics of lessons from 9 to 24. The final evaluation of the written test will therefore be: 1/3 * VOTE1 + 2/3 * VOTE2 If the evaluation of the written test is lower than 26/30, the learner can refuse the mark or register the evaluation obtained. If the evaluation of the written test is equal to or greater than 26/30, the learner can refuse the grade or register the evaluation of 26/30 or access the oral evaluation. The intermediate written test is valid until the autumn session. Learners who do not take the intermediate test and those who, having taken it, do not complete the exam in the autumn session will be evaluated as follows: Final exam which accounts for 100% of the written evaluation. It covers all the topics of the program. If the evaluation of the written test is lower than 26/30, the learner can refuse the mark or register the evaluation obtained. If the evaluation of the written test is equal to or greater than 26/30, the learner can refuse the grade or register the evaluation of 26/30 or access the oral evaluation. Content and evaluation method of the mid-term tests: 24 multiple choice questions. 1 point is awarded for each correct question; for each wrong answer 0.25 is subtracted; no score is given for each answer not given. An open-ended question that awards a maximum of 7 points. Content and evaluation method of the second test (or of the complete exam for those who do not take the intermediate test): 24 multiple choice questions. 1 point is awarded for each correct question; for each wrong answer 0.25 is subtracted; no score is given for each answer not given. An open-ended question that awards a maximum of 7 points. Content and evaluation method of the oral exam: interview on the topics of the course program (partial or total based on adherence to the intermediate exam).
Lesson mode
A typical lesson takes place through a phase of knowledge transfer with the frontal lesson accompanied by synthetic or analytical teaching materials. A discussion in itinire or at the end of the lesson confers a character of knowledge and information sharing. Some lessons are held in seminar form with the participations of experts of specific topics.
  • Lesson code10596424
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseBusiness Management
  • CurriculumDirezione e gestione d'impresa
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDSECS-P/12
  • CFU6