Strategic Management of Agricultural Firms, Markets and Marketing

Module GESTIONE STRATEGICA DELL'IMPRESA AGRARIA

The course aims to provide students with the basic tools underlying the efficient management of the agricultural enterprise, the design of a business model and the drafting of the business plan. 

The course revolves around the management operations that distinguish the operation of the agricultural enterprise focusing on the company's balance sheet (Income Statement and Balance Sheet). The student at the end of the module will acquire the skills necessary to read and interpret the main economic and financial ratios of the Income Statement and Balance Sheet (e.g., Operating Income, Cash Flow, Equity, etc.) through a correct reading and interpretation of the main balance sheet ratios. Thus, the student will be able to process, read and interpret financial projections within the Business Model and Business Plan. 

In general, students at the end of the course will be able to:

1) Knowlwedge and understanding: understand the role and importance of business organization with particular regard to indicators of technical economic efficiency;

2) Applying knowledge and understanding: apply the acquired knowledge to be able to carry out appropriate arguments on different methods of economic evaluation to determine business benefits;

3) Making judgment: collect and interpret data and information aimed at product flow analysis and cost and revenue analysis useful for conducting desk analysis on distribution and business efficiency; and

4) Communication skills: communicate what has been gradually learned through interventions stimulated by the lecturer in order to identify solutions capable of being able to achieve the final result that the company had set out to achieve;

5) Learning skills: independently develop the skills acquired to analyze case studies and make connections with other disciplines in the course of study.

Frontal lessons and classroom exercises, as well as participation in any meeting and / or meetings.

The course is structured in 63 hours of which 21 hours of lectures and 42 hours of exercises.

If teaching is given in a mixed formula or remotely, necessary changes may be introduced to what was previously stated in order to comply with the provided and reported syllabus.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

For any questions or clarifications, Gioacchino Pappalardo can be reached remotely or in presence on the days and in the manner reported on the web page: https://www.di3a.unict.it/docenti/gioacchino.pappalardo

As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline. 

Basic knowledge of Agricultural Economics. This knowledge should be considered useful but not essential for learning the course material.

Agenda 2030 Objectives:

The course primarily contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda:

• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: through the study of the principles of agricultural enterprise management, economic and financial analysis tools, profitability and economic efficiency indicators, and management control techniques, the course develops skills aimed at assessing the efficiency, profitability, and ability of agricultural enterprises to create value and sustain economic growth.
• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: through the analysis of Business Plans, Business Models, and strategic management tools, the course provides knowledge and skills useful for designing and developing business strategies, including those related to innovation and the transformation of agricultural enterprises.

Contents:

1. Business Management: Management Operations.

2. Balance Sheet and Income Statement.

3. Equity and Net Income.

4. Intermediate Margins of Net Income.

5. Intermediate Margins of Business Capital.

6. Cash Flow.

7. Management Control: Definitions and Areas of Management.

8. Management Control: Efficiency and Profitability Ratios (ROE, ROI, and ROS).

9. The Business Plan and the Business Model.

1. Economia e Gestione dell’impresa dell’impresa agraria; Torquati B. Edagricole

The final examination may be conducted by: 

- Oral examination on the program topics as reported in the "Programming" Section.

Or, alternatively, and only for attending students: 

- Drafting of two case studies covering the following topics:

1. Drafting of an Income Statement and Balance Sheet of a farm.

2. Drafting of a Business Plan with the financial projections arising from the previous case study.

N.B. Non-attending students will be allowed to take the exam only in oral form on the topics of the syllabus as given in the "Scheduling" Section.

Evaluation of the student's preparation will be based on the following criteria: the student's ability to learn and level of in-depth study of the topics covered, the student's property of synthesis and exposition, and the student's ability to reason.

Grading will follow the following pattern:

Ineligible: 

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: significant shortcomings and inaccuracies

Ability to analyze and synthesize: irrelevant with frequent generalizations

Use of references: completely inappropriate

18-20:

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest with evident imperfections

Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate

Use of references: just appropriate

21-23:

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge is slightly above the minimum acceptable level

Ability to analyze and synthesize: a fair bility to analyze and synthesize information, presenting arguments in a logical and coherent manner

Using references: use standard references

24-26:

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis abilities, arguments are presented consistently

Using references: use of standard references.

27-29:

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge more than good

Ability to analyze and synthesize: considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis

Use of references: the topic has been explored in depth

30-30L:

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent knowledge

Ability to analyze and synthesize: excellent abilities of analysis and synthesis

Use of references: important insights

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

The Farm. 

Intermediate Margins. 

Management Control.

Management areas. Profitability Indices.