Program Overview

Program Description

The program "Management ed innovazione nella pubblica amministrazione e nel non profit" is a 6 ECTS course that aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of public management and governance.

Course Objectives

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Recognize and critically discuss the main theories and reforms in public management and public governance.
• Analyze comparative organizational and management models of public administration, non-profit, and social enterprises focused on public service management and delivery.
• Understand public governance dynamics for managing global challenges, crisis/emergency management, and the development of digitalization and innovation processes at local, national, and international levels.
• Apply theoretical concepts and tools to the analysis of real case studies.
• Develop a technical language useful for future academic or professional experiences in the public and non-profit sectors.

Course Content

The course explores the evolution of theoretical paradigms and managerial practices in public administrations, the non-profit sector, and social enterprises. Through a comparative perspective, it analyzes the main trajectories of change and modernization that have redefined roles, functions, and operational logics of public and hybrid actors in different institutional contexts. In a global context marked by polycrisis dynamics, the course aims to understand how management models, relationships between public, private, and non-profit, digitalization, the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030), and the orientation towards advanced forms of stakeholder engagement are transforming governance and public service delivery.

Sustainable Development Goals

The course focuses on the following SDGs:

• Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
• Sustainable cities and communities
• Peace, justice, and strong institutions
• Partnerships for the goals

Teaching Methodology

The course is taught in person and includes theoretical lectures integrated with video contributions and in-class discussion moments. The teaching methodology is enhanced by testimonials from professionals, academics, and pracademics from federal and cantonal public administrations, as well as from the United Nations system. Integrative activities such as case study analysis, in-class exercises, and individual and group presentations are also part of the course.

Assessment Method

The course evaluation is based on two moments: group work presentation (40%) and a final oral exam (60%). The bibliographic material for exam preparation (slides, texts, readings, digital content) will be available to students enrolled in the course's e-learning page. Additional readings and digital content may be suggested during the course.

Program Details

• Master of Arts in Economics and Communication in Public Management and Policy, Lecture, Public Management, 1st year
• Semester: Autumn
• Academic Year: Not specified
• ECTS: 6.0
• Language: Italian

Additional Information

The course is part of the Universitŕ della Svizzera italiana, located in Lugano, Switzerland.