Strategic Management involves the coordination and integration of the efforts within the different functional areas of an organization for dealing with an uncertain future. This comprises formulating a strategy for each individual business of the firm, formulating a corporate strategy and implementing these strategies. In this course we will focus on the formulation of a competitive strategy for a business of a firm. Competitive Strategy formulation involves understanding the business you are in, determining how to positioning your strategic unit within this business environment, and developing the capabilities to compete in this environment. Therefore, Competitive Strategy at the same time coordinates and integrates the individual functional strategies such as manufacturing, marketing and sales, finance, of each business. Corporate Strategy, i.e. the strategy involved in combining different businesses, and, Strategy Implementation, i.e. the practical steps to translate strategy into reality are also covered in the strategic management course.
None required
The objectives of the course are the following: - Develop students' ability to think strategically about a given company, its business situation, how it can gain sustainable competitive advantage, and how its strategy can be implemented and executed successfully - Build students' skills in conducting both strategic analysis in a variety of industries and competitive situations - Integrate knowledge gained in other courses, and show how the various pieces of the business puzzle fit together - Highlight the growing importance of entrepreneurial thinking and explain how it fits with the strategic management process - Enhance students' ability to effectively communicate the results of their analyses and to provide appropriate recommendations based on their finding
On the completion of this course students will be able to: - Understand the firm strategic environment and trends influencing strategic decisions. - Develop strategic analysis in the context of general management. - Analyze the elements of strategic planning. - Understand the structure and main contents of a Strategic Plan. Topic 1: Introduction to strategy Topic 2: Goals, values and performance Topic 3: Analyzing the industry environment. Case study Topic 4: Analyzing resources and capabilities Topic 5: The nature and sources of competitive advantage, sustainable competitive advantage Topic 6: Cost advantage Topic 7: Differentiation advantage. Case study Topic 8: Competitive dynamics Topic 9: Corporate strategy Topic 10: Diversification strategy, achieving synergies. Case study Topic 11: Mergers and acquisitions Topic 12: Vertical integration Topic 13: Managing strategic change and strategic leadership
The course is oriented towards individual and group learning. We will use: - Active case study discussion. The case method is being used in business schools to enhance the learning process in managerial training. The cases have been chosen for its relationship to the core issues on the International business course. The students are expected to prepare deeply and participate actively in class discussions. However, read and prepare is not enough, students are required to contribute with interventions in group and plenary sessions. Finally, as a reminder, the learning process under the case method requires active participation and deep discussion. - Exchange of ideas and critical thinking development. The objective is to present and discuss collectively the conceptual frameworks and tools that build the core of the course. I will facilitate the process of discussion and will remark the key concepts and lessons. However, each student is responsible for formulating his/her own synthesis building upon the conceptual readings, class attendance, class participation and class discussion. For a proper follow up of the course the students must read and prepare the assigned readings before classes. The content of the course is structured in sequence, being each session a base for the next one. Accordingly, it is very important that students prepare each session and attend classes.
Continuous assessment has the following evaluation structure:
Evaluation type | Weight | Content | Activity type |
Individual assignment | 20% | First half of subjects | Moderately important |
Class participation | 20% | All subjects | Highly important |
Team project | 30% | All subjects | Highly important |
Final exam | 30% | All subjects | Highly important |
The evaluation criteria apply to all the students, and retakers must attend classes and submit all the requested deliverables. Any exceptional situation should be communicated to the professors in advance and validated by the tutor before the first month of class.
Laptops may not be used during the course, only when permitted by the professor. If students are unable to actively participate at any given moment during class hours, they are encouraged to leave the room and take the time necessary to deal with personal business elsewhere.
Mobile phones, communication software, and any AI tool (such as chatgpt, bard, bing or similar) are strictly prohibited.
Thus, the use of these tools by students will be considered fraud and will involve the application of the copy regulations of La Salle Campus Barcelona.
To pass the subject, the overall score must be higher than 5.
The following aspects will be assessed:
- Understanding and accurate use of key strategic management concepts, tools and frameworks when analyzing firms and industries.
- Quality and rigor of strategic analysis applied to cases and the selected multi-business firm, including clear diagnosis and coherent argumentation.
- Ability to identify, justify and evaluate strategic options at business and corporate level, showing awareness of trends and environmental uncertainties.
- Clarity, structure and professionalism of written assignments and the final project report, including appropriate use of evidence and references.
- Effectiveness of oral presentations in communicating main insights, engaging the audience, and responding to questions.
- Active and constructive participation in class discussions and teamwork, demonstrating preparation, collaboration and a responsible attitude throughout the course.
In addition to the cases we will be discussing in class, I will provide you with a number of readings from time to time. Additional readings or assignments will be handed out in class. You may also be requested to search for particular readings in the library databases. Course textbook:
Grant, Robert: Contemporary Strategy Analysis: Concepts, Techniques, Applications, Blackwell, 5th Ed. 2016.
Other recommended Textbooks:
Ghemawat, Pankaj: Strategy and Competitive Landscape, Prentice Hall, 2016.