Course Meeting Times
Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session
Broad Description of the Course
This course focuses on some of the important current issues in strategic management. It will concentrate on modern analytical approaches and on enduring successful strategic practices. It is consciously designed with a technological and global outlook since this orientation in many ways highlights the significant emerging trends in strategic management. The course is intended to provide the students with a pragmatic approach that will guide the formulation and implementation of corporate, business, and functional strategies.
Teaching Methodology
This course will use a combination of readings, case studies, lectures, and will require the completion of an independent research project.
Required Textbook
Hax, Arnoldo C., and Dean L. Wilde. The Delta Project: Discovering New Sources of Profitability. New York, NY: Palgrave, 2001. ISBN: 0312240465.
Recommended Textbook
Hax, Arnoldo C., and Nicolas S. Majluf. The Strategy Concept and Process: A Pragmatic Approach. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1996. ISBN: 0134588940.
Other Readings
Each day’s reading is listed in the readings section.
Requirements
The requirements for the course and the contribution of each towards the final grade are as follows.
| ACTIVITIES | PERCENTAGES |
|---|---|
| One Independent Research Project | 30% |
| Three Case Write-ups | 15% (each) |
| Class Participation and Case Discussions | 25% |
Independent Research Project
30% of the final grade will be for an individual (not a group) paper, due on or before Ses #18. You are welcome to review your topic with me during the semester.
The format of the paper should be text, exhibits, and a bibliography of sources used. The paper should be no more than 15 double-spaced pages of text and 10 exhibits, excluding the bibliography. Length is not a virtue and students should “spend the time to make the document shorter.”
The paper should provide you with an opportunity to illustrate the application of one of the frameworks we developed in class to an industry or firm of your choice.
Cases
Three cases write-ups are required. In essence, your paper should demonstrate that you have carefully analyzed the case, and have a coherent view on how the company should proceed. Be clear and concise. Your writing style has an important impact on your ability to communicate your ideas. Case discussions should be about 3 pages, double-spaced, excluding exhibits. In guiding the case analyses you can follow the questions that are given for each case in the assignments section.
Class Participation
Your active participation in the discussion in class is considered very important in this course. Prior preparation of the cases and assigned readings are essential. By making 25% of your grade dependent on your participation in class we hope to encourage you to feel responsible in making this course work. Class attendance is required.
