BUSINESS AND SOCIETY

The course provides a comprehensive conceptual framework for understanding the evolving relationship between private organizations and global societal challenges. In particular, it moves from foundational debates to the possible orchestrative role of business in driving systemic change

By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyze the fundamental tensions between the pursuit of profit and social impact. Rather than viewing these contradictions as inevitable traits of today's 'Grand Challenges,' students will explore how to mobilize multi-stakeholder partnerships and build hybrid business models—both understood as essential organizational tools for managing the tensions inherent in challenges such as climate change or the twin transition. The course will analyze both the role of 'orchestrators' in driving systemic change and the mechanisms through which commercial activities can generate human-centric innovation and change

There is no prerequisite for this course

1. Foundations: Role, Strategy, and Corporate Purpose
The course begins by questioning the very nature of the firm. Starting from the concept of "win-win" strategies, we will examine how profit interacts with social and environmental dimensions, with a particular focus on Climate Change. This challenge necessitates reorienting the traditional strategic paradigm toward Planetary Boundaries, distinguishing between corporate identity (Purpose) and value creation mechanisms.

2. Structures for Change: Hybrids and Empowerment
The redefinition of purpose leads to the study of Hybrid Organizations: entities that merge commercial and social logics. We will analyze how these organizations manage internal tensions and contradictions, even at an industry-wide level. We will focus specifically on the ultimate goal of these structures: Empowerment, a growth process that provides marginalized individuals with the resources for social and economic emancipation.

3. Systemic Impact: Grand Challenges and GVCs
To achieve impact on a large scale, the concept of empowerment must be linked to that of Grand Challenges—global issues whose urgency is self-evident. These challenges are deeply rooted in Global Value Chains (GVCs), the networks through which our production systems develop. In this context, we will define the "boundaries of corporate responsibility" and evaluate how Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (MSPs) can serve as a source of Social Innovation, where the participation of communities affected by a GVC fosters systemic solutions to Grand Challenges.

4. Tomorrow: Technology, Sustainability, and the Twin Transition
The final section addresses a fundamental Grand Challenge: the Twin Transition, namely the synergy between digital transformation and sustainability. We will analyze the conditions under which digital infrastructures can enable a transformation centered on respect for the environment and the individual. We will conclude by examining the risks of Generative AI, including socioeconomic inequality, cognitive costs, and algorithmic control.

The articles to refer to will be communicated during the course, and made available on moodle

Participation: Active engagement in discussions and activities (40%)
Students’ projects: Group analysis of real-world cases (30%)
Short Essay (1500 words): Individual exploration of a contemporary issue in business and society (30%)

written

Regarding the grading scale (the criteria by which grades will be assigned), regardless of whether the student is attending or non-attending:

A. Scores in the 18-22 range will be awarded for:
Sufficient knowledge and applied understanding of the course syllabus;
Limited ability to apply knowledge when formulating independent judgments;
Sufficient communication skills, especially regarding the use of specific language pertaining to the fields of strategy and innovation.

B. Scores in the 23-26 range will be awarded for:
Fair knowledge and applied understanding of the course syllabus;
Fair ability to apply knowledge when formulating independent judgments;
Fair communication skills, especially regarding the use of specific language pertaining to the fields of strategy and innovation.

C. Scores in the 27-30 range will be awarded for:
Good to excellent knowledge and applied understanding of the course syllabus;
Good to excellent ability to apply knowledge when formulating independent judgments;
Fully appropriate communication skills, especially regarding the use of specific language pertaining to the fields of strategy and innovation.

D. Honors (laude) will be awarded for:
Excellent knowledge and applied understanding of the syllabus, along with outstanding judgment and communication skills.

The course teaching method is based on traditional lectures, case study teaching, class discussions.

Ca’ Foscari University applies Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and reasonable accommodations available to students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (SLD). If you have a motor, visual, or hearing impairment, or other disabilities (Law 17/1999), or a specific learning disability (Law 170/2010) and require support (classroom assistance, technological aids for taking exams or individualized exams, accessible format materials, note-taking support, specialized tutoring, interpreters, or other services), please contact the Disability and SLD Office at disabilita@unive.it

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development