Rutgers Business School

Strategic Management - MBA

Syllabus (Subject to Change) - Summer 2011 Class: 92162 (22:620:588:60) Livingston - Location: Beck 251 Tuesdays May 24th to July 12th 6:00 PM 9:30 PM

Instructor Information:

Denis Hamilton d13hamil@pegasus.rutgers.edu Before or after class by appointment

Office Hours:

Required Course Materials: Strategic Management An Integrated Approach

Ninth Edition, hard cover IMPORTANT By: Charles W. L. Hill & Gareth R. Jones South Western Cengage Learning

0538748567 NOTE: This book has numerous cases in the back half of
ISBN:

text. About the textbook: Each edition has updated cases and material. You are expected to have the correct edition and bring it to class. Note: I have no financial interest with this publisher or the bookstore. This graduate level course in Strategic Management reviews the principles, tools, processes and practices used by managers to strategically manage their organizations to achieve competitive advantage and superior performance. Topics covered include: managing the strategy making process (including external analysis & internal analysis), key goals of strategy (distinctive competencies, competitive advantage, and profitability), building competitive advantage (functional-level strategy, business-level strategy, corporate-level strategy), application of business level strategy in the industry environment, relationship of strategy and technology, strategically managing corporate performance/governance/business ethics, creating competitive strategy for single industry firms, and creating competitive strategy for diversified firms. NOTE: Some topics in the textbook (e.g., strategy in the global environment) are covered in other courses in the Rutgers MBA program in more depth and therefore will not be covered in this course. 1

Course Objectives: MBA students who successfully complete this course should have an understanding of core concepts of strategic management and the practical application of those concepts to strategic business situations. Course Framework: Strategic management requires the consideration and integration of multiple theories and practices from several scientific disciplines (economics, sociology, psychology) and several business fields (marketing, finance, management, operations, technology, international business, etc.). The course assumes students have some familiarity with these underlying concepts. The framework of the course is to draw on these multiple perspectives in addressing the strategic challenges faced by managers working in competitive businesses. Many of the concepts can also be applied to not-for-profit and government organizations with some limitations. Methods of Instruction: Several methods of instruction are used including: lecture, videos, discussion of business related examples, case studies, and class discussion. Students are responsible for reading assigned material prior to class and coming prepared to engage in a discussion on the assigned topics. Case assignments are posted in the syllabus for each class session. Quality class participation is a significant part of everyones learning process. Asking thoughtful questions, respecting the views of your fellow students and instructor, not interrupting others and sharing opportunities to participate with your colleagues will result in meaningful dialogue and learning. Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend every class (there are only 8 classes). Many of the benefits will be obtained in the materials presented and discussed in class as well as the conversations with your colleagues. Although lecture materials will be posted, this is not a substitute for attendance. Failure to attend class will impact grades. Please notify the instructor in advance if you will not attend. This does not excuse your absence nor is it a substitute for attendance. Missing a class is a minimum 2 point automatic reduction in the class participation score. There is no practical way to make-up class participation and it is unfair to students who regularly attend and participate to offer this option or to not penalize students who do miss a class. A missed exam or missed class presentation will be considered for make up solely at the discretion of the instructor and based on the circumstances of the absence. Only in extreme circumstances are students allowed to make up a missed exam or presentation. In rare cases where a make up assignment is granted it will require significant effort (for example, a ten page, single spaced, scholarly paper covering the missed material and/or other assignment(s) at the discretion of the instructor) and will require timely submission and very high quality 2

work in order to receive a high grade. Missing more than one exam or presentation, or missing multiple classes, may be deemed sufficient cause for failing the course.

Expectations: Professional conduct is expected at all times: Treat all participants in the class with respect Arrive on time and avoid early departures Use laptops or other technology in the classroom only when appropriate for the activities for that session No cell phones, or other electronic instruments are to be out or on during class Due to class time eating meals during class is ok Do not distract others Submit all assignments on time, in a legible and professional manner (11 or 12 point, double spaced, with one inch margins all around) Academic Integrity: Rutgers University policy on academic integrity and honesty applies to all work performed for this class. Tests and individual case studies are to be completed only by the individual student whose name is on the work. Tests will be closed book and notes. The submission of the case study must be prepared only by the individual student whose name appears on the submission. Team case studies are to be prepared only by the members of the team. Use of websites or other sources that provide reviews or preparation of case studies or provide information about cases is strictly prohibited. The individual case study assignment will be submitted through Blackboard which performs a review of the material against a large database to check for plagiarism. If there are any questions about conformity to the policy please check with me in advance and check the Rutgers website: http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/integrity.shtml#cheat Determination of Grades: Grades for this class will be based on the following point system: Class Participation participation) Mid Term Exam Individual Case Analysis Team Case Analysis Final Exam Total 20 points (based on timely attendance, preparation and 20 points 20 points 20 points 20 points 100 points

Class Participation: Students are expected to come prepared to contribute to every class. Preparation includes reading the assigned chapters and preparing the assigned cases. Participation constitutes timely attendance for all classes and contributing to class discussion in a constructive/respectful manner. Students may be randomly called

upon to discuss (lead discussion of) an assigned case during class. Classes will generally be 50% lecture and 50% case discussion.

Mid Term Exam: The mid term exam will be primarily multiple choice questions with a few open ended questions based on the material covered prior to the exam. Individual Case Analysis: Each student is required to complete a written analysis of a case. Students will be assigned a case from section A in the back of the textbook using a lottery system. Due dates are posted in the syllabus calendar on the last page. No late case submissions will be accepted. Plan accordingly. Team Case Analysis: Students will need to form a team of 4 students (one/possibly two teams will be allowed to have more or less members based on total class enrollment). Teams will be assigned cases from section B in the back of the textbook using a lottery system. Team cases will be evaluated by the instructor and other students based on a class presentation by each team. Each team member will receive the same grade as their other team members based on an evaluation (75% by instructor, 25% by students) of the content and quality of the presentation. Team members who fail to contribute to this project will be subject to receiving 0 points or less than full credit for this assignment. Evaluation of each team member by his/her teammates will be used to evaluate the satisfactory contribution and participation of team members. Final Exam: The final exam will be primarily multiple choice questions with a few open ended questions based primarily on material covered since the mid term exam. Grades: There is no grading curve in this class. There is no pre-determined grade distribution. Grading will be as follows: A = 92 100 points A- = 89 - 91.99 B+ = 86 88.99 B = 80 85.99 C+ = 75 79.99 C = 70 74.99 D = 60 69.99 F = < 60 Class communications: All students are expected to be accessible through Blackboard. Please make sure that you regularly check email (and/or forward email) from your registered Rutgers email address to an email address you regularly check. This is your responsibility. I cannot accept alternative email addresses for handling communication as emails are sent to students primarily through the blackboard system and I cannot alter or add email addresses to this system. The individual case assignment will be 6

submitted through Blackboard and will be screened against a large database for plagiarism. All work must be the original work of the student submitting the case except for a limited number of excerpts that are specifically/appropriately cited.

Strategic Management - MBA

Tuesday 6:30 PM 9:30 PM Summer 2011 Wee k 1 Date May 24 Topic/Activity Introduction/Syllabus/Expec tations Strategic Leadership External Analysis Internal Analysis Functional Level Strategy Business Level Strategy Industry Environment Readin gs Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Assignments Chevy Volt case - Class Discussion (CD) United States Beer Industry (CD) Southwest Airlines (CD) Matsushita (CD) Holiday Inns (CD) Warfare in Toyland (CD) Mid Term Exam Blu-Ray vs. HD DVD Individual Case Due No Chapter Case Assignments Dennis Koslowski Dell Computer Ford Final Exam Team Cases

May 31 June 7 June 14 June 21 June 28 July 5 July 12

4 5

Strategy & Technology Integration & Outsourcing Diversification Corporate Perf/Governance/Ethics Single Industry Companies Multi-industry Companies Team Case Presentations

7 8

Class sessions are conducted in 90 minute modules (2 modules per class). Each module covers 1 Chapter and includes 30 40 minutes lecture/review/discussion/video of key material in the Chapter with the remaining time devoted to discussion of the assigned case or an inclass assignment. There will be a 10 minute break between modules. Students will be given 75 minutes to complete exams. Team presentations will be 15 20 minutes each depending on class size and number of teams. Individual Case Study and Team Case Study Presentation: Separate instructions and description of required deliverables will be issued for individual and team case presentations during week 2 and week 5. 8