Strategy, at its most general, refers to the allocation of resources in a competitive environment over relatively long periods of time in the pursuit of specific goals. Strategy is shaped by the underlying market conditions as well as the resources available to management (including the firm's internal structure, systems, and culture). This integration of the external and internal perspectives provides the basic framework for strategic and innovative thinking. The Strategy course is intended to give the class a holistic view of the firm, to develop students' ability to think beyond day-to-day business activities and challenge them to ask the right questions about its future. These skills are essential to be an effective general manager of both a new venture and larger, more mature businesses.
Titular Professors
None required
By the end of the course, students should be able to: - Assess industry attractiveness and recognize the drivers of firm profit - Design strategies that help firms achieve, sustain, and renew competitive advantage - Think outside of industry boundaries and create new market space - Be aware of the challenges to implement a strategy once it has been formulated
Topic 1: Introduction. Case Method. Topic 2: What's strategy? Case: Go Global or No | Exercise: Strategic implications. Topic 3: What's strategy? Introduction to strategy. Topic 4: Purposes & Expectations. Vision, Mission, Stakeholders & Corporate Governance | Exercises: Defining Mission; Stakeholders Mapping. Topic 5: Industry analysis (I). External Analysis. Topic 6: Industry analysis (II). Five forces model Exercise: Industry analysis. Topic 7: Analizing competitive Advantage (I). Internal Analysis Exercise. Topic 8: Analizing competitive Advantage (II). Low Cost and Differentiation Strategy Case. Topic 9: Analizing competitive Advantage (II). Corporate Strategy | Case. Topic 10: Strategy Implementation. Exercise: Club Ed. Topic 11: Strategy Implementation. Organizational Structure. Topic 12: Going Global. Born Global Companies. Topic 13: Wrap Up.
For each topic, a combination of the following tools will be used: - Lectures: Students will be presented with contents about the major topics covered in the course. Active participation is expected from students. - Weekly Assignments: Assignments will be given BEFORE each topic is presented. Therefore, students are not expected to provide a right or wrong answer for each assignment but are expected to think about the main issues of each topic. - Discussion exercises: Questionnaires and exercises will be held in order to reinforce the concepts of the session. Therefore, students are expected to discuss about the main issues of each topic. - Videos: When available, relevant videos will also be viewed, as additional materials for the class discussions. - Readings: A list of recommended books and papers will be provided for further understanding of the main topics.
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.