Three pillars for understanding the world

THE BIEM, DIRECTED BY CHARLES WILLIAMS, PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH MANAGEMENT TOOLS TYPICAL OF COMPANIES OPERATING IN MARKETS ALL OVER THE WORLD

“When presenting or introducing the program I always say that the three pillars of the program– International, Economics, Management – encompass all the key issues of our world today. All challenges, from globalization to climate change to the future of Europe, are touched by these three aspects of the program,” underlines Charles Williams, Associate Professor at the Department of Management and Technology and Director since 2018 of the Bachelor in International Economics and Management. A program tailored to help students master the management tools typical of companies with international exposure and provide a solid preparation in the field of international economics and management with a distinctive international perspective, including a classroom where 50% of students are international.

“It provides a great introduction to business and management practice with a heavy foundation in economics,” says Williams. “And is a distinctly European and international, and thus Bocconian, program - in terms of study program, student body and faculty teaching in classes. We have a great student body, driven and engaged, and I have to say we have fun together!”

“And combining economics and management today is particularly relevant. With management becoming more digital and data-driven it is important to also have quantitative and analytic skills,” he adds.

And through a comparative approach, students also study how national differences can influence management decisions and how institutions, firms and the financial system as a whole operate in the global context. The study path winds through management topics and business functions (from marketing to organization, from technology to accounting), the study of economic and financial systems, quantitative methods for applied analysis and basic knowledge of legal aspects.

The teaching aims to be modern and group-based. “Classes have partial exams along the ways that keeps students engaged and they appreciate this. We also include many team projects and interesting business and strategy problems to challenge students,” continues Williams. The final year offers a diverse array of experiences from electives and study abroad experiences to internships done by half or more of the class, many in analyst, marketing and consulting environments. Students finish with a final paper they work on assisted by a professor, on a case study or long-length analysis.

“We also include experiences to develop students’ soft skills. Managers have to be able, for example, to communicate well and to work effectively in diverse teams,” highlights Williams.
 

by Davide Ripamonti