Business Strategy & Competitive Analysis

Curriculum guideline

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Course
BUSN 4275
Discontinued
No
Course code
BUSN 4275
Descriptive
Business Strategy & Competitive Analysis
Department
Business
Faculty
Commerce & Business Administration
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
202010
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks X 4 Hours per Week = 60 Hours
Max class size
30
Contact hours
Lecture: 1 Hour Discussion: 3 Hours
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities

Lecture and discussion.

Course description
This course integrates the knowledge and applied skills gained in other courses with comprehensive case reviews and shows how the various business functional units work together in formulating and applying strategies in a globe setting. It demonstrates why the different parts of a business need to subscribe to predefined and formulated corporate strategies to succeed and harmonize with the various stakeholders. The course uses a comprehensive business case review method.
Course content
  1. Overview of strategic management and competitiveness
  2. Review of corporate performance (operational and financial), and the measurement criteria
  3. External environment, industry  competitiveness, industry players (national and international)
  4. Internal resource assessment, corporate strength and core competencies
  5. Porter’s generic business level strategies and implementation issues
  6. Corporate level strategy formulation, competitive dynamics and competitive response
  7. International takeovers, amalgamation, mergers, restructuring,  alliances,  entry and exit  strategies
  8. Corporate monitor, control systems
  9. Management of financial and operational risks, in international settings
  10. Management control and reward systems
  11. Corporate innovation, and technological forecasting
  12. International trade systems, trade tribunals, trade agreements
  13. Restrictive trade practices and their impact on formulating strategic positioning
Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course the student will be able to: 

  1. Use  strategic thinking  about a company, its present position and long-term strategic direction
  2. Conduct critical strategic analysis in a variety of industries and competitive situations, in  global settings
  3. Demonstrate applied skills in crafting business strategies, reasoning  strategic options, and the use “what-if analysis”,  for risk management
  4. Evaluate strategic action alternatives, and make sound strategic decisions
  5. Identify and optimize among a range of options managers can take to effectively execute strategy
  6. Integrate the knowledge gained in earlier core courses in the Business Administration Degree (BBA) program
  7. Integrate the knowledge and skills gained in other business/ accounting courses, show you how the various pieces of the operation fit for strategic positioning and success
  8. Conduct an internal analysis to identify the firms’ strengths and weaknesses
  9. Assess the company external environment to identify opportunities and threats
  10. Identify the best course of actions for corporate strategy implementation and  viable financial results
  11. Implement the strategic choices and measure the operational outcomes and financial results
  12. Evaluate the strategic decisions and their consequences in a comprehensive case review setting
  13. Assess how the business units fit together to create harmony for a company to operate in a winning fashion and succeed financially and globally
  14. Forecast technological evolution and product /technology obsolescence
  15. Assess the role e-commerce and e-platforms in corporate strategy formulation and market positioning
  16. Perform managerial tasks asso­ciated with implementing and execut­ing company strategies.
Means of assessment
Group written case analysis        20%
Midterm 20%-25%
Participation 10%-15%
Individual written case analysis     15%-25%
Group case presentation 0-10%
Final exam 20%-30%
  100%

Students must pass the combined total individual assessment components in order to pass the course. 

 

Textbook materials

Thompson, Jr., A.A., Strickland III, A.J., and Gamble, John E., Crafting and Executing Strategy, McGraw -Hill, Latest edition

Other textbooks as determined by the Instructor and approved by the Business Department.

Students are also expected to review / analyze several journals, research reports.

Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration approved calculators only.

Prerequisites

90 Credits towards BBA Degree OR permission of instructor