Business Cases Analysis

Code:

2GE08

Acronym:

BCA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Management Studies

Instance: 2020/2021 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Management
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Management

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIM	19	Bologna Official Syllabus	2	-	7,5	56	202,5

Teaching language

English

Objectives

This course aims to provide students with the knowledge needed for the analysis of a diverse range of Business Cases . It is expected that by the end of the course the students are able to:

a) identify problem (s) present in the business case
b) critically analyze the context in which the company operates by appropriate  databases and methodologies
c) identify alternative solutions to the problem (s) identified and provide the best solution to be proposed by using appropriate decision criteria 
d) analyze the financial and organizational impacts of the proposed recommendation;
e) submit an implementation plan;
f) identify key risks given the proposed recommendation.

Additionally, students are required to present their proposals orally.

 

Learning outcomes and competences

This discipline is designed to provide analytical and soft skills. 

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

none

Program

I) Introduction to the analysis of a Business Case
a. Business Cases: structure, types and objectives.
b. Recommended approach for analysis of a Business Case

 II) Problem analysis
a. How to analyse a problem
b. Relevant frameworks.

 

III) Identification of alternative solutions to the problem
a. Identification of alternative recommendation; relevant selection criteria
b. Decision support matrixes for the analysis of alternatives
c. Critical aspects when designing recommendations.
d) Relevant frameworks.

 IV) Measuring the impact of the recommendations.
a. Types of impacts: organizational and financial impacts.
b. Fundamental concepts of project analysis. Cash Flow statements. NPV.

 V) Implementation plan.
a. Structure and content of an implementation plan
b. Relevant frameworks.

 

VI) Risk Analysis
a. Types of risks
b. Risk response
c. Relevant frameworks.

Mandatory literature

Ostervalder, A. and Pigneur, Y.; Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers, , Wiley and Sons Inc., 2010

Complementary Bibliography

van Assen, M., van den Berg, G. e Pietersma, P; Key Management Models: The 60+ models every manager needs to know, Pearson Education Limited, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-273-71910-6

Teaching methods and learning activities

The course will be taught in English. Classes will be will be essentially practical.

Theoretical sessions will aim to provide students with basic concepts, essential to the proper analysis of a Business Case.

Most classes will consist of oral presentations. Students will be given cases in advance, work on them in groups, out of class. Classes will be used for oral presentation of the recommendations.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	20,00
Trabalho de campo	80,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	41,00
Trabalho de campo	161,50
Total:	202,50

Eligibility for exams

The evaluation will be based in the following aspects:

70% based on the group's performance in each presentation. In the beginning of the semester students will be given an evaluation form. After each group presentation students must fill a form and evaluate the performance of each of their group members. Each case individual grade will be adjusted according to intra-group evaluation under the following criteria:  If average individual Intra-group grade is :
* inferior to the average global group grade in 0-5/1 value, grade adjustment of “-.5”
* inferior to the average global group grade between 1-2, grade adjustment of “-1”
* inferior to the average global group grade between 2-3, grade adjustment of “-2”
* inferior to the average global group grade for more than 4 points, maximum grade of 10 values(out of 20)
* superior than average in between 0.5-1, grade adjustment of “0.5” superior than average 1 - 2, grade adjustment of “1”
* superior than average > 2, grade adjustment of “2”

20% of the final grade for the work of individual research and individual and group presentations made extra case studies.

10% of the final grade for the student's skills of expression, presence and participation in class, contribution to group discussion and progress evidenced during the discipline.

Calculation formula of final grade

70% adjusted average group grade + 10% individual research and presentations + 20% soft skills level, participation in class, contribution to group discussion and evolution evidenced in classes

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Internship work/project

Not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not possible

Classification improvement

Not possible

Observations

This course will take place mostly in face-to-face format. Due to Covid 19, group work classes will take place via Zoom with groups organized in Breakout Rooms.