Degree in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics

Lead the transformation of companies through the use and analysis of data.

Data-driven strategic management

Description
Data-driven 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 data 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. The course aims to achieve the following objectives: 1) Cultivate students' capacity for strategic thinking, enabling them to analyze a given company, assess its business context, strategize for sustainable competitive advantage, and proficiently execute and implement those strategies - all on a data-driven approach. 2) Foster students' proficiency in conducting strategic analyses across diverse industries and competitive scenarios. 3) Synthesize knowledge acquired from other courses, illustrating the interconnectedness of various components within the business framework. 4) Build students soft BI skills by developing and end-to-end Tableau dashboard. 5) Emphasize the escalating significance of entrepreneurial thinking and elucidate its alignment with the strategic management process. 6) Refine students' communication skills to effectively convey analysis results and offer pertinent recommendations derived from their findings.
Type Subject
Tercer - Obligatoria
Semester
Second
Course
3
Credits
6.00
Previous Knowledge
Objectives

Learning Outcomes of this subject are:
RA.01 Understand the firm strategic environment and trends influencing strategic decisions.
RA.02 Develop strategic analysis in the context of general management.
RA.03 Analyze the elements of strategic planning.
RA.04 Understand the structure and main contents of a Strategic Plan.
RA.05 Design and develop end-to-end Tableau dashboards.

Contents

1. Introduction to Strategy
2. Introduction to Data-driven Strategic Management
3. Data Management Strategy - Tableau
4. Porter's Five Forces & Competition
5. Internal Analysis - RBD
6. Resources & Capabilities
7. Core Competencies
8. Competitive Advantage
9. Business Models
10. Introduction to Corporate Strategy
11. Diversification Strategy
12. Mergers and Acquisitions
13. Vertical Integration
14. Managing Strategic Change
15. Strategic Leadership
Alongside the cases and presentation slides covered during class sessions, the instructor will intermittently provide students with additional readings. Extra readings or assignments will be distributed during class meetings, and students may also be tasked with locating specific readings in the library databases.

Methodology

The course is designed to foster both individual and group learning through various methods: 1. Active Case Study Discussion:
- Engage in dynamic discussions using active case studies, a method widely employed in business schools to enrich managerial training.
- Carefully selected cases are closely aligned with key issues in the International Business course.
- Students are not only expected to thoroughly read and prepare but are also required to actively participate in class discussions.
- Beyond preparation, students must contribute with interventions during both group and plenary sessions.
- It is crucial to underscore that the case method's learning process necessitates active participation and in-depth discussion.
2. Exchange of Ideas and Development of Critical Thinking:
- The primary goal is to collectively present and discuss conceptual frameworks and tools integral to the course.
- Facilitation of the discussion process will be provided, with key concepts and lessons highlighted.
- However, each student is individually responsible for formulating their own synthesis, drawing from conceptual readings, class attendance, active participation, and class discussions.
- To effectively follow the course, students must read and prepare the assigned readings before each class.
- The course content is structured sequentially, with each session serving as a foundation for the next one. Thus, thorough preparation and class attendance are crucial for a comprehensive understanding.
3. Tableau:
- The course incorporates a practical dimension with hands-on exercises using Tableau.
- Examples and exercises will be provided to allow students to apply theoretical concepts in a real-world context.
- This hands-on practice aims to enhance understanding and proficiency in utilizing Tableau for strategic analysis and decision-making.
- Students are encouraged to actively engage in these practical sessions to reinforce their learning and practical skills.

Evaluation

Your final grade will be determined by three components:
1. Class Participation: 30%.
2. 2 Group Projects: 20% each, totaling 40%.
3. Final Exam: 30%.
Hand-in dates for individual and group assignments will be discussed, and failure to adhere to these deadlines will result in a percentage deduction. This course mandates the submission of a hard copy of your work during the designated session. The assignments will evaluate course outcomes, including analytical abilities, comprehension of theory, and the application of management functions to practical cases. Additionally, the assessment will consider the use of an appropriate language style (scholarly) and formatting.
Group Projects: Students are expected to collaborate on two group projects. For these projects, students should choose a multinational firm of their preference. It is advisable to select firms for which students believe they can gather sufficient public information within the available time.

Evaluation Criteria
Basic Bibliography

The primary textbook for the course is:
Grant, Robert: Contemporary Strategy Analysis: Concepts, Techniques, Applications, Blackwell, 5th Ed. 2016

Additional Material

Additionally, the instructor recommends the following textbooks:
Anderson, Carl: Creating a Data-Driven Organization, O'REILLY, 2015