KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: To know the various interrelationships existing between the issues of economic, social and environmental sustainability and firms activity, in terms of competitive context, influence on business operations and firms competitive strategies. Specific attention will be reserved to the agri-food business.
CAPABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: To be able to understand and interpret the multidisciplinary complexity of sustainability from the perspective of firms activity and the contribution these can make to sustainable development, above all in the agri-food sector.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS: Students must demonstrate, by the end of the course, that they have acquired not only knowledge and concepts, but are able to carry out independent critical analysis of case studies, scientific articles, reports and documents.
COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS: TThe written exam on the main topics analyzed during the course and on one case study assigned by the teachers, with oral discussion, aim to verify the student's ability to communicate with the proper disciplinary lexicon the concepts learned during the course.
LEARNING SKILLS: At the end of the course the student will have to demonstrate that he/she has acquired the knowledge and skills described in this syllabus, and a capacity for critical analysis that will allow him/her to independently study further specific topics or take more advanced courses.

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1 Sustainable development and the circular economy: an overview.
1.1 Definition and evolution of the concept of sustainable development from global to local.
1.2 Models of sustainable development: green economy, blue economy, bioeconomy, circular economy.
1.3 Circular economy: an overview of the state of the art.
1.4 Case studies and seminars.
1.5 Cooperative learning activities with students.

2. Sustainability as a corporate strategy.
2.1 The role of companies and consumers in sustainable development.
2.2 Sustainability in the corporate governance system.
2.3 Product and process sustainability.
2.4 Sustainability of supply chains and local production systems.
2.5 Analysis of business sustainability: case studies, seminars, company testimonials and/or company visits with specific focus on agri-food firms.
2.6 Cooperative learning activities with students.

3. Sustainability, information asymmetries and corporate strategies.
3.1 Tools and methods for measuring and communicating sustainability.
3.2 Mandatory and voluntary certifications.
3.3 An overview of sustainability initiatives that companies can pursue: reduction of greenhouse gases emissions, sustainable use of resources, reduction of energy use and energy transition, use of sustainable materials, waste management, sustainability in the supply chain, employee awareness, community involvement, monitoring and reporting, and innovation.
3.4. The sustainability practices and certifications of agri-food firms.
3.5 Analysis of enterprise sustainability: case studies, seminars, company testimonials and/or company visits and workshop activities with specific focus on sustainability practices and certifications of agri-food firms.
3.6 Cooperative learning activities with students.

Study materials will be provided by the teachers. Course slides and additional materials (book chapters lectures and scientific articles) will be available on Moodle 2 and the Course Teams.

1 Sustainable development and the circular economy: an overview.
1.1 Definition and evolution of the concept of sustainable development from global to local.
1.2 Models of sustainable development: green economy, blue economy, bioeconomy, circular economy.
1.3 Circular economy: an overview of the state of the art.
1.4 Case studies and seminars.
1.5 Cooperative learning activities with students.

2. Sustainability as a corporate strategy.
2.1 The role of companies and consumers in sustainable development.
2.2 Sustainability in the corporate governance system.
2.3 Product and process sustainability.
2.4 Sustainability of supply chains and local production systems.
2.5 Analysis of business sustainability: case studies, seminars, company testimonials and/or company visits with specific focus on agri-food firms.
2.6 Cooperative learning activities with students.

3. Sustainability, information asymmetries and corporate strategies.
3.1 Tools and methods for measuring and communicating sustainability.
3.2 Mandatory and voluntary certifications.
3.3 An overview of sustainability initiatives that companies can pursue: reduction of greenhouse gases emissions, sustainable use of resources, reduction of energy use and energy transition, use of sustainable materials, waste management, sustainability in the supply chain, employee awareness, community involvement, monitoring and reporting, and innovation.
3.4. The sustainability practices and certifications of agri-food firms.
3.5 Analysis of enterprise sustainability: case studies, seminars, company testimonials and/or company visits and workshop activities with specific focus on sustainability practices and certifications of agri-food firms.
3.6 Cooperative learning activities with students.

Lectures, seminars, company testimonials and/or visit of firms, discussion on reports, individual work and eventuality cooperative learning work.

The final exam aims to verify the students’ knowledge and understanding of the topics presented during the course, their ability to apply knowledge and understanding, to make critical judgments, their learning and communication skills.
The final exam consists of two parts:
1. Written exam including closed and open-ended questions on the topics covered in class
2. Written report, oral presentation and discussion on a specific case study, related to the course topics. The evaluation will take into account clarity of exposition, originality, coherence with writing guidelines (which will be presented during the course).
Students are required to adhere to ethically appropriate conduct during all assessment activities, which will be properly organized and regulated according to procedures communicated and made public during the course. Any form of plagiarism, cheating, or academic misconduct will be dealt with in accordance with the University's Code of Ethics and Conduct.
The final mark will be the weighted average (60% written exam; 40% report) of the two parts. In order to pass the exam, students must get the minimum grade (18/30) in each of the two parts. To earn the highest mark (30/30 cum laude), students must demonstrate not only extensive and complete knowledge of the topics covered in class, but also distinguished ability to critically apply theoretical knowledge to the analysis of real-world scenarios.
Students who attend at least 2/3 of the total course hours in-class may take intermediate tests on parts of the topics, through individual or team work, as an alternative to the final written test on the whole course programme.
Specific indications on the organization of intermediate tests will be provided during the course, taking into account the calendar and timetable of lectures.
Students in mobility programmes: the course syllabus and examination procedures outlined above also apply to Erasmus students or students participating in other international mobility programmes.

This course focuses on some topics closely related to one or more objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations
SDGs: