Course Syllabus

Course Information
Course Number and Section BA4305-001
Course Title Strategic Management
Term Spring 2008
Days and Times Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 to 11:30 AM
Professor Contact Information
Professor Sumit Majumdar
Office Phone 972-883-4786
Email Addres majumdar@utdallas.edu
Office Location SOM 3.433
Office Hours TTh 11:30 AM to 12.30 PM
Other Information Please email directly or through WebCT
Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, or Other Restrictions

Co-requisite: BA 4371, Prerequisites: BA 3341, BA 3351, BA 3352, BA 3361 and BA 3365.

Course Description

This is a capstone-level course requiring integration of all fields of business. Students will
draw on their broadened awareness of various environmental influences (social and political) to
solve business problems. Management alternatives will be examined with an ethical perspective
relating policy trends to the strategic planning mode.

The Strategic Management course has been designated a capstone course in business at the
University of Texas at Dallas. The purpose of a capstone course is to integrate the learning achieved
in individual business courses taken to earn a business degree. The knowledge acquired in finance,
accounting, operations, MIS, marketing, and organizational behavior classes will be utilized to study
the strategic management of the firm as well as the responsibilities of the general manager. Group
and individual assignments will be graded on content and written and oral presentation skills.
Students will participate in a simulation that requires taking into account multiple decision-making
factors while balancing all sectors of the firm’s environment.

This is an extremely intense course, which requires a substantial time commitment. The
university has mandated as part of this course a requirement of at least 15 double spaces pages of
writing per individual student that will be evaluated on grammar, punctuation, and writing style. A
writing tutor will assess the written assignments, provide detailed feedback, and determine whether a
revision is necessary. Because of this requirement, please submit 2 copies of all written assignments.
 A writing tutor will grade your written assignments on a scale of 1-10. Any assignments
receiving grades of 6 or below must be rewritten, and will be assessed again. Be aware that your
average writing grade will be part of the calculation for your final course grade.

Student Learning Objectives and Outcomes

1. Students will be able to identify the strategic problems of a firm.

2. Students will be able to develop solutions to a firm’s strategic issues.
3. Students will be able to integrate skills acquired in finance, accounting, marketing, and MIS
courses to create a successful generic strategy.
4. Students will be able to complete an external and internal analysis of a firm.
5. Students will be able to practice and apply different approaches to and modes of written
exposition as appropriate to strategic management.
6. Students will be able to write using effective technical requirements including organization,
mechanics, and thesis development.
7. Students will develop sensitivity to written language by being able to employ and apply
effective and appropriate rhetorical devices directed at a business audience.

Required Textbooks and Materials

Required Texts

Contemporary Strategy Analysis

Robert M. Grant, 2008, Blackwell Publishing, Sixth Edition

Required Cases

To be placed in the WebCT for the class

Simulation exercise:

www.capsim.com

Supplementary Items Recommended

Business Week
Economist magazine
Wired magazine
Fast Company magazine

Requirements
 The course will involve

[1] lectures
[2] case discussions
[3] preparation of a report on a local company and
[4] participation in a simulation exercise

Grading Policy and Student Involvement

The students will work in groups as well as individually. The simulation and case
discussions are to be done in groups. The preparation of a report on a local company is to be done
individually. The mandatory writing requirement will be dealt with using the project report.

Grade Structure
Group Assignments Proportion

Case discussions and write ups 30%

Capstone simulation 20%
Presentation of simulation results 15%
Sub total 65%

Individual Assignments

Firm strategic analysis 20%

Participation 15%
Sub total 35%
Total 100%

Case Discussion and Write ups

There are 4 cases that will be discussed in class. For each case, each group should come
prepared to make a presentation in class. The group to present will be chosen randomly. Each case
write up is to be done in groups and the written case report will be submitted in the following class
after the case has been discussed. The page limit for each case write up is 4 pages excluding tables,
charts and appendices.

Simulation

Capstone Foundation

www.capsim.com

Note that to participate in this simulation exercise you will need to register at the above web-
site. When you register, you will need to purchase a registration number. With questions regarding
the simulation exercise please call the following toll free number during working hours: 877-477-
8787
Preparation of a Report on a Local Company

The mandatory written work requirement of the University will involve the preparation if
a report on a local company by each individual student. Choose a firm from the Dallas Morning
News Top 200 for your analysis. These firms are headquartered in the Dallas area and there is a
lot of information available in the newspaper. The paper will consist of 5 sections, with a
minimum of 3 pages per section, exclusive of tables and graphs, to be submitted by the deadlines
listed below. This project will require library database research, research on news affecting the
firm, and perhaps visits, phone calls and written communication with the firm.

Turn in 2 copies of each paper section. One copy will be graded for grammar, style,
punctuation, etc, using the following rules:

Criteria Score of 0 Score of 1 Score of 2 Total

Score
Grammar Several grammar One or two errors No mistakes
errors
Spelling Multiple spelling One or two errors No spelling errors
errors
Word Choice Below average word Good word Excellent word
choices choices choices
Organization and Poor organization Good organization Very well
Flow organized
Citation of Missing citations Minor errors in Correct citation of
Sources citations sources
Total Points 0 to 10

Learning Goal

Students will develop competency in written communications. Each student will

complete a minimum of 15 pages of double-spaced written assignments in this course.

The assignments will be assessed using the rules above:

1. A paper scoring a zero in any of the five criteria must be rewritten.
2. For all papers totaling 6 or less the paper must be rewritten.
3. For all papers totaling 5 or less the student must make an appointment with the
writing tutor.
4. Papers scoring 7 and above may be rewritten to improve the grade.
5. Rewrites must be stapled to the original paper and submitted no later than the
following week.

The second copies will be graded for content as you submit them. Those grades will be
conditional. At the end of the semester, you will submit all 5 papers bound as a complete firm
analysis and append an introduction and conclusion. At this point, all writing errors will have
been corrected, and you may address deficiencies highlighted in the initial section submission.
Part 1: Due Feb 5

What are the company’s goals and objectives? What is industry and external environment
analysis of the firm? Discuss the external environment of the firm including an analysis of the
impact of the stakeholders. Discuss the competitive environment of the firm in detail.

Part 2: Due Feb 19

What are the resources and capabilities of the company?

Part 3: Due Mar 4

What is the nature of the competitive advantage enjoyed by the company?

Part 4: Due Mar 25

Identify the strategy of the firm and evaluate the fit with the competitive environment and
competitive advantages. How does the company translate its capabilities into competitive
advantage? Discuss and evaluate strategies the firm is pursuing.

Part 5: Due Apr 8

How does the company handle technological developments and utilize technology for the sake of
enhancing its competitive advantage?

Complete Analysis: Due Apr 22

Submit the following:

· Correct and amend your 5 sections
· Add an introduction
· Add a conclusion including recommendations for the firm’s strategic plan.
 2008 DETAILED SCHEDULE
Class Day Date Reading or case Simulation Case Report
discussion
Setting the stage
1 Tue 8 Jan Chapter 1 The concept of Introduction
strategy Groups formation
2 Thu 10 Jan Chapter 1 The concept of
strategy
Tools of Strategy Analysis
3 Tue 15 Jan Chapter 2 Goals, values The following due prior
and performance to this class: (1) register
for the simulation
exercise; (2) down-load
the capstone courier;
(3) bring the printed
out capstone courier to
class
4 Thu 17 Jan Chapter 2 Goals, values
and performance
5 Tue 22 Jan Chapter 3 Industry Situation analysis due
analysis fundamentals
6 Thu 24 Jan Chapter 3 Industry
analysis fundamentals
7 Tue 29 Jan Chapter 4 Industry and Getting Started tutorial
competitive analysis due. Exercise
completed if tutorial
done and quiz
questions following the
tutorial answered. Solo
simulation exercise for
this class needs to be
completed. There are 3
rounds for this exercise
and all need to be
completed
8 Thu 31 Jan Chapter 4 Industry and
competitive analysis
9 Tue 5 Feb Case discussion Group practice round Amazon Part 1 of
due prior to class written
report due
10 Thu 7 Feb Case discussion Amazon
11 Tue 12 Chapter 5 Analyzing Round 1 due prior to Case write
Feb resources and capabilities class up due
12 Thu 14 Chapter 5 Analyzing
Feb resources and capabilities
13 Tue 19 Case discussion Round 2 due prior to Dell Part 2 of
 Feb class Gateway written
report due
14 Thu 21 Case discussion Dell
Feb Gateway
Analysis of Competitive Advantage
15 Tue 26 Chapter 7 Nature and Round 4 due prior to Case write
Feb sources of competitive class up due
advantage
16 Thu 28 Chapter 7 Nature and
Feb sources of competitive
advantage
17 Tue 4 Mar Chapter 8 Cost advantage Round 5 due prior to Part 3 of
class written
report due
18 Thu 6 Mar Chapter 8 Cost advantage
19 Tue 18 Chapter 9 Differentiation Round 6 due prior to
Mar advantage class
20 Thu 20 Chapter 9 Differentiation
Mar advantage
21 Tue 25 Case discussion Round 7 due prior to Best Buy Part 4 of
Mar class written
report due
22 Thu 27 Case discussion Best Buy
Mar
23 Tue 1 Apr Chapter 11 Technology and Round 8 due prior to Case write
innovation management class up due
24 Thu 3 Apr Chapter 11 Technology and
innovation management
25 Tue 8 Apr Case discussion Intel AMD Part 5 of
written
report due
26 Thu 10 Case discussion Intel AMD
Apr
27 Tue 15 Chapter 14 Global Written group reports Case write
Apr strategic management due. Group up due
presentations of
simulation report.
28 Thu 17 Chapter 14 Global
Apr strategic management
29 Tue 22 Chapter 6 Organization Group presentations of Full written
Apr structure and management simulation report report due
systems
30 Thu 24 Chapter 6 Organization
Apr structure and management
systems
Other Issues

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and
regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each
student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which
govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is
contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each
academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and
Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and
in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university's Handbook of Operating
Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean
of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of
citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents' Rules,
university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the
standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or
criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by
the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual
honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to
applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one's own work or
material that is not one's own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following
acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of
academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings. Plagiarism, especially from the web,
from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be
dealt with under the University's policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course
will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication
between faculty, staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some
issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university
encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student's U.T. Dallas email
address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a
UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the
identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information.

UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all
communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas
provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level
courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration
procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements
from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper
paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to
attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
Activities, of the university's Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other

fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious
effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom
the grievance originates (hereafter called "the respondent"). Individual faculty members retain
primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that
level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent's
School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the
student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the
School Dean's decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or
Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The
decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be
distributed to all involved parties. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in
the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in
interpreting the rules and regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed
at the semester's end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade
must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the
required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the
specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.

Disability Services
 The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational
opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610
in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is: The University of Texas at
Dallas, SU 22 PO Box 830688 Richardson, Texas 75083-0688 (972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments
necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to
remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for
students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a
research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled
students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college
or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility
assistance.

It is the student's responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to
verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special
accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities
for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are
exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated. The student is
encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence,
preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam
or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length
of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes
any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to
complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that
exam or assignment. If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for
the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the
student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations,
either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the
institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the
legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the
chief executive officer or designee.

Important Notes

Throughout the semester, each student is expected to follow the university's guideline on
student conduct with regard to cheating and other dishonorable behaviors. Severe consequences can
occur if such rules are not followed. The instructor also reserves the right to deduct from a student's
individual class participation credit if the student has shown severe non-constructive behavior in
class (such as disrupting the class or abusing another individual), in addition to other disciplinary
actions. If a student is absent or late to a class meeting, it will be his or her responsibility to catch up
with all the missed materials including to learn of any announcement made while the student was
absent. No make-up exams or lectures will be given. It will also be the students' responsibility to
accept any consequences that may result from absences. No late assignments will be accepted.

Finally, it is a student's responsibility to read the syllabus thoroughly and regularly and keep
track of all the important dates and requirements every week. Experience shows that the answer for
most questions that students ask can in fact be found in the syllabus.