363-0393-00L  Corporate Strategy

SemesterAutumn Semester 2018
LecturersS. Ben-Menahem
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentDue to didactic considerations, the number of participants for this course is limited to 45.

Please register through myStudies to enroll for the course. Slots are assigned on a first-come first-serve basis (in the order of the registration date on myStudies). We will confirm your registration by e-mail. If you have any inquiries about the course, please contact the course assistant.



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
363-0393-00 VCorporate Strategy2 hrs
Mon10:15-12:00ML F 39 »
S. Ben-Menahem

Catalogue data

AbstractThis course focuses on the challenges in managing multi-business corporations, and covers topics related to the vertical and horizontal scope of business activities.
ObjectiveCourse Topic and Learning Objectives:

Large- and medium-sized corporations play a central role in the economic activity of most developed and developing countries. Many of these organizations perform multiple business activities in multiple markets. In the face of increasing international competition, globalization, technological development, deregulation, and the emergence of new markets and industries, operating such a portfolio of business activities poses important managerial challenges forcing corporations to continuously re-consider their vertical and horizontal scope and boundaries.

The course Corporate Strategy draws from a wide range of theories and methods to develop an understanding of the conceptual frameworks, debates, and developments concerning decisions associated with the management of multi-business corporations. We will cover the key questions driving a firm's corporate strategy, including:

- In what markets to compete with which businesses?
- Which activities should be performed by the firm and which should be outsourced (i.e. "make" or "buy" decisions)?
- What are the most appropriate approaches to growth and divestiture?
- How do institutional forces impact corporate strategy?

Specifically, we will examine how organizations manage their portfolio of business activities and markets to achieve competitive advantage through vertical integration, cooperative strategies such as strategic alliances and joint ventures, corporate diversification, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and globalization/international strategies, and strategic renewal.

Format:

The course is a combination of lectures about concepts/methods, guest lectures, case studies, and individual assignments.
ContentThe course homepage can be found at: Link
Prerequisites / NoticeHaving participated in the course Strategic Management by Prof. Georg von Krogh/Dr. Stephan Herting is an advantage but not a requirement.

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits3 credits
ExaminersS. Ben-Menahem
Typesession examination
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionThe performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit.
Mode of examinationwritten 90 minutes
Additional information on mode of examinationThis course comprises a compulsory continuous performance assessment that takes the form of an individual video assignment and a peer review.

An initial version of the individual video assignment and peer review (i.e., continuous performance assessment task) will be due during the teaching semester. The time of submission depends on the week within which the topic the student chooses for the assignment is treated in class. Students may self-assign to a topic on a first-come first-serve basis. Students will have the option to hand in an improved version of the video assignment on the basis of feedback they receive from the peer review. The final version of the video assignment will be due within two weeks after the last class.

The individual video assignment and peer review (i.e., continuous performance assessment task) must be passed on its own and counts proportionally towards the total course unit grade; the video assignment is graded (grades of 4.0 and above signify a pass; grades below 4.0 signify failure); the peer review must be completed (pass/fail). Therefore, to pass the course the video assignment and its components need to be successfully passed. The final grade is composed of the written examination (70%) and the individual video assignment (30%).
Written aidsWörterbuch Englisch-Muttersprache
This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding.

Learning materials

 
Main linkAssigned articles, cases, and background readings. T.B.A.
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

Places45 at the most
Waiting listuntil 15.10.2018

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Management, Technology and Economics MasterElective CoursesWInformation
MAS in Management, Technology, and EconomicsElectives, 1. and 3. SemesterWInformation