Course Introduction and Syllabus - STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
LUCIO CASSIA
Professor of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship
Chairman of the Center for Young and Family Enterprise (CYFE)
University of Bergamo
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
Course Introduction and Syllabus
Lesson STR T00 - Course Number 37056 ITA – Fall 2017 / Spring 2018
Details and contents
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 2
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di Bergamo
• Course name Strategia e Sistemi di Pianificazione (ITA code 37056)
• Course terms 1st term Theory (6 ECTS) Sep,19 2017 – Dec,12 2017
2nd term Practice (6 ECTS) Feb,27 2018 – May,8 2018
• e-learning http://elearning8.unibg.it/moodle25/
• Social Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship @UniBG
• Web www.unibg.it/struttura/struttura.asp?corso=37056
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 3
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di Bergamo
Course modules: Theory and Practice
Lectures
(12 classes)
Theory
Methods and tools
(2 classes)
Sep,19 – Dec,12 2017
Conference Lab
(1 class)
Case studies
(3 classes)
Practice
Conference Labs
(3 classes)
Feb,27 – May,8 2018
Project Work Labs
(3 classes)
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 4
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di Bergamo
Lectures topics (Theory, 12 classes)
• Competitive Strategy
– Strategy Fundamentals and Change
– Competition and Competitive Advantage
– Strategy vs. Best Practice in the Digital Age
• Entrepreneurial Strategy
– Why does Leadership matter in Strategy
– How is Strategy Formed?
– Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Strategy
• Digital Strategy
– Digital Transformation
– Digital Innovation and Strategy
– Disrupted Industries Scenarios
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 5
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di Bergamo
Methods and tools topics (Theory, 2 classes)
• Overview on Strategy Frameworks
– Overview about main frameworks and techniques to support strategic decisions
– Selection of the right framework to address different business issues
– Setting business recommendations based on strategy frameworks
• Introduction to Techniques, Methods and Tools for Information search
– Data and information for strategic analysis
– Data sources
– Citations, references, plagiarism
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 6
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di Bergamo
Conference Lab (Theory, 1 class)
• StartCup Bergamo Final Event (Oct,9 2017)
– Start Cup Bergamo is the Business Plan Competition of the University of
Bergamo, promoting entrepreneurship and helping young people to develop a
business idea into a well-done business plan.
– During the final event the business ideas will be presented to academics,
investors and entrepreneurs.
– Students will be involved in the final event, where the nascent entrepreneurs will
present their business ideas to discuss the underlying embedded strategies.
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 7
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di Bergamo
Case studies (Practice, 3 classes)
• Some business Case studies will be discussed during the classes in the 2nd term
(Practice Module).
• Case studies are powerful tools to investigate a topic combining a qualitative and a
quantitative approach. A major and recurrent issue is the relationship between
strategy, growth and long-term performance.
• You will learn analytical techniques to check the competitive position of a firm,
evaluate business strategies, and identify and analyze specific business options.
These concepts and frameworks will help to face complex and unstructured
problems in business strategy, in order to provide a solid foundation for managerial
decision making.
• Students are strongly encouraged to read the material for a very proactive in-class
discussion of the case.
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 8
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di Bergamo
Conference Labs (Practice, 3 classes)
• The Trends in the Age of Globalization (TAG) Conferences represent an opportunity
to understand the changes of the global scenario from the experience of eminent
keynotes. Global strategy, innovation, digital transformation will be among the topics
of the conferences.
• The keynotes will be academics, top managers and entrepreneurs, i.e. people who
understand the global trends to successfully face the rapidly changing global context.
Corporations, small firms, startups and communities are central in identifying key
values in modern changes.
• The aim of the TAG Conferences is to inspire students’ critical thinking skills and
debate on the impact and scenarios of the global changes.
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 9
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di Bergamo
Project Works Labs (Practice, 3 classes)
• During the second term, three classes will be allocated as class labs for the planning
and the development of each project work. The groups will work on the assigned
topic with the assistance of the Faculty.
• The aim is to help students throughout the preparation of the project work and to
give support to find the right direction to decide structure, contents, sources.
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 10
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di BergamoProactive participation
• Attending the course is strongly recommended. Students are encouraged to
participate to every class.
• The course is structured to be interactive with the class participants.
Proactive participation is appreciated and graded.
• Contributions to discussion (in class and/or through social networks) and ideas from
the students are encouraged. Informed and engaged participation is of paramount
importance and welcome from everyone. Students are also strongly invited to
debate about the topics, experiment new ideas and share links to real cases.
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 11
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di BergamoFaculty
Course Faculty
Lucio Cassia
Professor of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship
Chairman of the Center for Young and Family Enterprise (CYFE)
University of Bergamo
lucio.cassia@unibg.it
Davide Hahn
Research Fellow of the Center for Young and Family Enterprise
(CYFE)
University of Bergamo
davide.hahn@unibg.it
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 13
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di BergamoCourses Assistant
Paolo Pressiani
Research fellow of the Center for Young and Family Enterprise (CYFE)
Project manager of Start Cup Bergamo
University of Bergamo
! paolo.pressiani@unibg.it
• Course organization
• Teamwork management
• e-learning Moodle platform
• Class communication
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 14
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di BergamoResources
Online resources (Moodle platform)
• Online resources are available to the students enrolled on the course
through the Moodle platform
– Lessons
– Case studies
– Reference material (scientific papers, reports, podcasts, interviews, etc.)
– Lectures by visiting executives (entrepreneurs, managers, etc.)
– Information about lessons, conferences, events, etc.
– http://elearning8.unibg.it/moodle25/
• Students are invited to join the Facebook Group “Strategic Management &
Entrepreneurship @UniBG” to share information and posts about the main topics of
the course
– www.facebook.com/groups/strategicmanagementunibg/
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 16
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di BergamoReference texts
• Contemporary Strategy Analysis
Robert M. Grant
John Wiley & Sons Inc, ISBN 978-1-11912-083-4
• Strategic Management: Concepts
Frank T. Rothaermel
McGraw-Hill Education, ISBN 978-1-25942-047-4
• Entrepreneurial Strategy
Lucio Cassia, Michael Fattore, Stefano Paleari
Edward Elgar, ISBN 978-1-84542-197-3
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 17
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di BergamoExams and Course policies
Exam
• The exam covers both Theory and Practice modules and requires to demonstrate the
mastery of the topics, tools and frameworks covered during the course.
• Grading plan
a. Theory module : 25% (Discussion)
b. Practice module : 75% (Project Work)
c. Proactive participation : additional 0-3 scores (case studies & conf. labs)
• Both discussion and project work are assigned on four-student group basis formed by
the faculty (students’ proposals will be evaluated).
• Theory assessment and project work can be separately obtained in different sessions.
Grades are kept valid for the exam sessions from June to September. For the
following sessions, students will be required to take both parts within the same
session.
• An early additional exam session will be available in May 2018 (attending students
only).
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 19
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di Bergamoa. Discussion (Theory module)
• The Theory module exam consists in a discussion on a strategy topic reported in a
lesson, through papers, interviews by international scholars, financial institutions
(e.g., IMF, World Bank), newspapers (e.g., Financial Times, The Economist), business
and strategy journals (e.g., Harvard Business Review), strategic advisors reports (e.g.,
McKinsey).
• The topic will be assigned one week ahead of the in-class discussion. The assigned
group will take care of the presentation and discussion with the rest of the class.
• The Faculty will evaluate the discussion considering understanding of the topic,
synthesis, original contribution, accuracy and class engagement (we will use the App
Slido to measure the class engagement; please download the app sli.do)
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 20
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di Bergamob1. Project work (Practice module)
• The project work analyzes an industry, a company or a set of companies, a strategic
initiative undertaken (e.g., a merger or an acquisition), a strategic opportunity faced
by a company or industry (e.g., a change in market demand or technology) or a global
trend (e.g., a competition shift).
• Students are required to apply strategic tools and knowledge learned along the
course, to the real economic environment.
• The goal of the project work is “to know more” about the assigned topic. Students
have to deal with the issue in depth, with a scientific and critical approach. This
includes careful selection of the most reputed sources.
• The project consists of a written report and a final presentation. A comprehensive
“project work package” includes presentation, sources, references, papers,
documents and material in electronic form.
• Innovative ways of presentation, original ideas, clarity, focus on the topic are
encouraged.
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 21
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di Bergamob2. Project work rules (Practice module)
• The project work must be comprised of original text. Students are expected not to
use others’ text or work and present it as their own. References shall always be cited.
In case of plagiarism the entire exam will be nullified.
• Each student of the group will put their effort to make sure that their contribution
and presentation will be comparable among the members. Each team member will
be selected by the Faculty to present different parts of the project work. Each
student may be assigned a different score.
• Project works including practical case studies will be appreciated, where relevant.
• The comprehensive package of the project work will be sent to the Faculty one week
before the exam through cloud uploading (send to: paolo.pressiani@unibg.it).
• Based on the project work topics and domain, the Faculty may pose questions to
each student within the group, on matters and subjects taken from the Theory
module. The answers will influence the final evaluation individually.
• The Faculty will evaluate the project work considering originality, internal
consistency, relevance to the assigned theme, methodological rigor, quality and
variety of sources, accuracy of report and presentation, clarity of in-class
presentation, efficient teamwork.
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 22
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di Bergamoc. Case studies, Conference Labs (Proactive participation)
• The Faculty will evaluate the proactive participation (single student and groups) both
during Case studies analyses and Conferences Labs.
• Case studies
Students are strongly encouraged to read the material for a very proactive in-class
discussion of the Harvard cases.
• Conferences Labs
Students are invited to review the guest’s profile in advance and the main topic of
each TAG Conference. Groups are required to prepare (not trivial) questions before
and during the TAG Conference to foster the discussion.
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 23
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di BergamoNot attending students
• Students attending less than 75% of the classes will be considered not attending
students.
• Grading plan
a. Theory module : 25% (Oral or written exam on theory topics)
b. Practice module : 75% (Project Work)
• Theory assessment is based on the reference text “Contemporary Strategy Analysis”
(Robert M. Grant) as well as the online resources (lectured materials, cases and
discussions) and consists of multiple-choice questions, short answers and essay
questions. The exam will be performed on an individual basis.
• The Faculty will assign the project work on an individual or group basis. Not attending
students are required to contact the Faculty well ahead of the exam session.
• Theory assessment and project work can be separately obtained in different sessions.
Grades are kept valid for the exam sessions from June to September. For the
following sessions, students will be required to take both parts within the same
session.
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 24
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di BergamoErasmus and Extra-EU Programme Students
We encourage students to apply for an Erasmus or an Extra-EU programme.
Upon request, students involved in an Erasmus Program during 1st or 2nd term of the
current year may be eligible for the attending student status (theory exam through
discussion; additional May exam session; exam by Skype if abroad).
Furthermore, students can apply for any equivalence of the modules (Theory and
Practice, 6 ECTS each) under prior approval by prof. Maria Sole Brioschi
(maria-sole.brioschi@unibg.it). The equivalence may be granted for one or both
modules. On student’s request and responsibility, the remaining module will be carried
out in Italy within a four-student group. For these students the grading plan will be 50%
for each module (Theory/Practice) if they have passed and registered one of the two
modules abroad as equivalent exam.
The same rules apply to foreign students at the University of Bergamo participating in
an Erasmus or Extra-EU Program, as well as to Italian students undertaking recognized
internships.
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 25
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di BergamoCourse policies
• Attendance
– Attendance is useful requirement for an effective class discussion and team-
based course. Students attending 75% or more of the classes will be considered
attending students.
– All the students are members of a learning community, so a professional
behavior is expected. Please be on time for the class and be respectful of others’
viewpoints even if in disagreement with them.
• Computer and mobile phone
– Some sessions will require that the team has access to a computer or mobile
devices to access the internet. The use of electronic devices other than for the
class activities is not appropriate.
• Kick-out option
– Although it generally doesn’t apply, team members have the right to determine
whether to kick “non-performers” out of the team. To exercise the option, the
team leader has to send an e-mail to paolo.pressiani@unibg.it , confirmed by the
members, requesting the kick-out. Students who are excluded from the team are
responsible for finding a new team.
Source: Adaptation from the Syllabus, Strategic Management & Business Policy, prof. Jing Sun, Wayne State University
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 26
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di BergamoCourse policies
• Academic integrity
– The university policies regarding plagiarism, cheating and similar activities will be
pursued as appropriate. Downloading or use of material obtained from an on-
line site without proper citation is plagiarism. Citing sources properly is
necessary to demonstrate where your information is coming from. It also helps
keep you from accidentally plagiarizing.
• Grade disputes
– Although generally it doesn’t happen, grade disputes are handled in writing.
Students are invited to submit a memo to paolo.pressiani@unibg.it describing
the disputed item and why they feel the grade was incorrect. Grading errors are
possible, but please be aware that errors can be overly generous as well as
overly harsh. Accordingly, the grade on the remarked assignment may stay the
same, be increased, or be decreased. There are no extra credit assignments or
other supplementary options for improving a course grade.
Source: Adaptation from the Syllabus, Strategic Management & Business Policy, prof. Jing Sun, Wayne State University
Strategic Management (Theory and Practice) 27
Lucio Cassia Università degli Studi di BergamoYou can also read
