MBA 682: Business Policy and Strategy … Syllabus Instructor: Thomas E. Frank Lecturer in Marketing Central Connecticut State University Home Phone: 860-651-7265 Cell Phone: 860-748-8999 E-Mail: [email protected] Office Hours: By appointment Books: Strategy and the Business Landscape, Ghemawat, Pankaj 2nd Edition (Pearson Prentice Hall), 2006 Good to Great, Jim Collins Harper Business, 2001 Reading: Gospel of Matthew: Chapters 5-7 (The Sermon on the Mount) Translation …. New International Version Cases: Adolph Coors in the Brewing Industry Apple Computer, 2005 Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream Inc.: A period of Transition Kodak and the Digital Revolution (A) The Walt Disney Company: The Entertainment King Course Description: As a course in business strategy, MBA 682 draws on the knowledge and skills that you have acquired during previous course work in the MBA program. This is a course in business strategy, as opposed to corporate strategy, and as such focuses on strategy at the level of a single business. More than anything else, it is designed to teach you a way of thinking about business enterprises, including those that you might encounter as your professional career progresses. Although we will be reviewing the chapters about business strategy in the text, the primary teaching method in the course will be the use of case studies and class discussion. Case study analysis is intended to reflect typical business situations where the manager deals with incomplete knowledge as well as uncertainty. The case method, in order to be successful, requires extensive participation by the class. The professor’s role is not to lecture, but rather to guide class discussion through rigorous analysis of the case towards a desirable course of action. Therefore, class preparation and involvement will be an important part of your grade for the course. 1Although case studies generally present information in a structured way, the way the case is organized may not be the most effective way to use in analyzing the situation. Managers must deal with information which comes from a variety of sources and in a variety of forms rather than in discrete, well organized packets. Our approach to case analysis will be an organic one which involves developing an analytical structure as facts emerge from the case and are related to one another, and as different points of view are presented. While the process may often appear disjointed, the product should be a clear understanding of the available facts and clear basis for taking appropriate action. You should expect to spend about 2 hours in order to properly prepare a case for class discussion. You should plan to have several pages of notes for each case. These notes should include your answers to assignment questions that may be given to you by your instructor, as well as additional analysis that you feel would be useful in class discussion. Course Objectives: The objective of this course is to foster the development of your abilities as follows: Facts: Skills Attitudes Develop knowledge of: Develop the ability to: Foster development of: -generic business strategies -analyze industries -analytical rigor -selected industries -analyze companies -listening skills -historical development of -formulate plans -open mindedness modern business strategy -communicate effectively -ethical sensitivity Course Schedule and Assignments (subject to change): June 9 (6 to 10) Ghemawat Text: Chapters 1 & 2 Collins Book: Chapters 1 & 2 Case: Coors Instructor’s Strategy Experiences June 11 (6 to 10) Ghemawat Text: Chapter 3 Collins Book: Chapters 3 & 4 Case: Apple Exam #1 (take home) June 23 (6 to 10) Marketing Fundamentals Collins Book: Chapters 5 & 6 Case: Ben and Jerry’s Discussion: Enterprise Rent-A-Car 23June 25 (6 to 10) Ghemawat Text: Chapter 5 Collins Book: Chapters 7 & 8 Case: Kodak Exam #2 (take home) June 27 (9 to 5) The Sermon on the Mount … “Beatitudes in Business” Collins Book: To Completion (Including Epilogue) Case: The Walt Disney Company Discussion of Final Strategy Project Business Strategy and Christian Ethics ` Course Review Preparation, Class Attendance & Participation Your preparation for, and participation in, the class sessions is essential for the success of this course, both for the class as a whole and for each individual student. Therefore, attendance at class sessions is required and any absence from class should be discussed with the instructor in advance – via e mail if necessary. You will be expected to participate in class discussions, especially those involving the case studies assigned for each class session. In order to do this, it will be necessary for you to come to class fully prepared to participate. Grading Grading will be based upon the following factors and in the proportions shown: 1/3 …. Performance on Exams 1 & 2 1/3 …. Quality (not quantity) of class participation 1/3 …. Strategy Project (TBA) Academic Integrity Students are expected to follow Eastern Mennonite University and Business Department policies and regulations regarding attendance, academic integrity and appropriate classroom behavior. Of special importance are Business Department Academic Integrity Guidelines. Copies of these guidelines may be obtained from the department office. Students with Disabilities -- Reasonable accommodations are provided for students that have documented disabilities. Students with disabilities should identify themselves we can discuss these accommodations. *************************End of Syllabus