Learning outcomes

This course aims at developing the skills in understanding and analyzing groups of companies as a form of network useful to pursue dimensional and geographical – and, thus, also international - growth of business activities.

Firstly, the course explores groups' constitutive factors, creation processes and determinants, as well as the possible forms of groups that may be realized. Secondly, the course focuses on the representation of consolidated equity and income through the preparation of the consolidated financial statement according to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IAS/IFRS). Finally, by building on the knowledge about group structure and the capability of reading a consolidated financial statement, the course explains the techniques of performance analysis at the group level, also by relying on relevant reports.

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- Know and understand different forms of networks and groups, and judge their consistency with business goals;
- Prepare and read a consolidated financial statement according to the IAS/IFRS;
- Develop a technical analysis and express a judgment on the group financial performance;
- Communicate effectually the strategic and managerial features, as well as the performance, of business networks aimed at internationalization purposes.