The Cores of Strategic Management is a study of the analytic tools and processes involved in the formulation and implementation of strategic choices in realistic organizational settings. Students are required to integrate their functional knowledge and understanding of the global environment with the concepts and principles of strategic management to determine effective ways to resolve complex problems concerning the relationship between the total organization and its environment. Creative analytical skills and effective communication in light of current management thinking are emphasized.
Main topics 1. Prologue 2. What is strategy? 3Cs Strategy is about strengths Trade-off Mini-case McDonald's 3. External Environment Analysis Industry Five-force Analysis Switching Costs 4. Internal Environment Analysis Tangible vs. Intangible Resources Economies of Scale Vertical Integration vs. Outsourcing Mini-case Southwest Airlines 5. Business-Level Strategy Cost Strategy Vale Strategy First Mover Advantages vs. Disadvantages Recap Mini-Case Starbucks Coffee 6. Corporate-Level Strategy Why Diversification? Diversification and Synergy Risks of Synergy Mini-Case Gateway 7. M&A, Alliances, and International Strategy M&A and Alliances International Strategy Mini-Case Daimler-Chrysler 8. Leadership and Decision Making Courage Decision Making and Biases Decision Change 9. Strategy Implementation Strategy Implementation