Advanced Strategic Management

Code:

2GE21

Acronym:

ASM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Management Studies

Instance: 2018/2019 - 2S

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	18	Bologna Official Syllabus	1	-	4	28	108

Teaching language

English

Objectives

This course aims to provide an integrated perspective of the diverse aspects of strategy. During the sessions, a set of key frameworks and concepts will be introduced in order to create and deliver an effective strategy. This will be done through cases, class discussions and readings that will promote critical thinking and foster class discussion on the management of strategy.
The course is focused on developing the strategic competencies of the students, by presenting and discussing world-class strategic practices and concepts in the business context.
By the end of the course, students will be able to design and implement an effective strategy, adapting class concepts and frameworks to real life experience.

Learning outcomes and competences

In this course you will learn: 
- how to develop an effective strategy;
- how to think strategically;
- how to have an integrated perspective of the strategy field;
- a comprehensive view of Strategic Position, Strategic Choices and Strategy in Action;
- concepts, models, frameworks and tools for performing a strategist role.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Introduction on Strategy
2. Why Study Strategy
3. The Strategic Process
4. Strategic Position
5. Strategic Choices
6. Strategy in Action
7. Strategy in Unpredictable Environments
8. Closing Comments

Mandatory literature

Gerry Johnson, Richard Whittington, Dr Duncan Angwin, Patrick Regner, Kevan Scholes; Exploring Strategy, 10th Edition, Pearson, 2013. ISBN: 978-1292002545

Complementary Bibliography

Martin Reeves, Knut Haanaes, Janmejaya Sinha; Your Strategy Needs a Strategy, Harvard Business Review Press, 2016
Besanko, David, Dranove, David, Shanley, Mark, Schaefer; Economics of Strategy, 2013
Robert M. Grant ; Contemporary Strategy Analysis: Text and Cases Edition 9th Edition, 2016. ISBN: 978-1119120841
Peter FitzRoy, James M. Hulbert, Timothy O'Shannassy; Strategic Management: The Challenge of Creating Value 3rd Edition, 2016. ISBN: 978-1138849242
W. Chan Kim, Renée Mauborgne; Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant, 2015
Andrew Campbell, Michael Goold, Marcus Alexander, Jo Whitehead; Strategy for the Corporate Level: Where to Invest, What to Cut Back and How to Grow Organisations with Multiple Divisions, 2014

Teaching methods and learning activities

This course will include a combination of lecture, discussion, and case study analysis, which will allow students to develop effective strategies.

Lectures
Lectures will allow students to learn world-class strategic practices and concepts in the business context, by combining theory with practice.

Case Studies
A number of case studies will be used in class to ilustrate several strategy topics.
The role of the case studies is to provide an integrated understanding of concepts and tools, fitting it all together.
Students are expected to read each case prior to classes, and be prepared to discuss them. Participation in class discussion is very important. Please prepare for class by reading the assigned cases. Also, if you have relevant experience, please share it with the class.

Group Assignment
The Group assignment will allow students to:
- further develop their knowledge on a specific topic;
- apply concepts, models and frameworks to real cases;
- share knowledge through discussion in small groups;
- develop teamwork competecences.

Readings
Articles and papers on the course topics will be published on Sigarra. They are complementar readings and are not required for the exam.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	21,00
Trabalho escrito	15,00
Total:	36,00

Eligibility for exams

Independently of the grades obtained in the group assignment, in order to pass the course students must have a grade of at least 8 out of 20 in the exam.

Calculation formula of final grade

Type of evaluation: Combination of group assignment (GA) and final exam (FE).

Formula Evaluation: 50%GA + 50%FE

Classification Improvement: In this case, the exam will represent 100% of the final grade.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Group Assignment:

Students should analyse a specific strategic decision made by a company, applying the course concepts, models and frameworks. Examples: M&A Operation, Internationalization, Portfolio Decisions,…

Typically, projects will involve analysis of the following components: (1) background and context, (2) how the firm approached the specific strategic decision, (3) why they turned to that specific strategy, how appropriate it is, and how if differs from that of a competitor, (4) your final recommendations.

The information needed for the project could come from secondary sources and/or primary sources (for example, you know someone in the firm who you could interview). While much information is available in the popular press, most of it is hyped up language and superficial. I would urge you to ensure that the written report is devoid of clichés and keep it direct, insightful, and specific to the problem at hand.

Students should work in groups (up to 5 students).

The project/white paper has a limit of 25 pages (12 font Time Roman, 1 inch margin on all sides) with appendixes and addendums extra.

The project will be evaluated on the following dimensions: (1) the degree of insight provided in the report, (2) how well the concepts discussed in the course are woven into the analysis, and (3) quality of recommendations, analysis and degree of support for them. 

The Team Project is due on the exam day.

Classification improvement

There will be an extra exam for classification improvement. In this case, the Group Assignment will not be considered.