6 ECTS credits
174 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4017055FNW for working students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
In the course it is analysed how the result of a business profit is determined by its strategy and environment. Special attention is drawn to strategy analysis and formulation. Two levels are distinguished: concern/corporate and competitive strategy. Concern strategy determines in which industries the business should invest and competition strategy tells how a business can position itself in a segment and how it can reach and maintain a competitive advantage. There is also attention in the course for the link between strategy and the specific business environment.
During the course, economic and strategic instruments and methods are discussed which are useful for the analysis of the competitive situation. Examples are given during the lectures and short cases are solved. Theoretical concepts are developed which are important for strategy building.
This course is taught in English and all the materials, as well as the exam, are in English
Cases, slides and all other materials are provided via the electronic platform Canvas and/or Vub-bookstore
Please note that the slides are just to help you with your notes during the lectures and point at the topics to be known from the book. They are only a small part of all materials to be studied
Teaching Methods
This description of the teaching methods is indicative, in order to assess the expected study load.
REGULAR STUDENTS
Lecture: 20 hours
Practical: 16 hours
Self: 138 hours
WORKING STUDENTS
Lecture: 6 hours
Practical: 16 hours
Self: 154 hours
This course aims at strengthening the conceptual and analytical skills, the ability to synthesize and critically analyse information and strategic decision making in a competitive business environment. Students should be capable of:
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 75% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 25% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The evaluation will be on theory and methodology, applied to case(s)
Groups consist of three or four members. If problems occur within a team or group, a peer review can be started. A peer review should be requested at the latest 3 weeks before the exam period starts, in written and with a motivation by at least two members of the team, and should be sent to both the course responsible and assistant. In case, a peer review will be conducted, and if it turns out that at least 50% of the team recognizes the failure of participation of one or more group members, this member will obtain 0 as mark for this assignment.
The student has – for both exam sessions - passed with an end result of minimum 10/20, even if on one of both parts of the exam a score of less than 10/20 has been obtained.
Second exam session (retake)
Your group assignments result obtained during the academic year (first session) will be transferred to the second exam session, regardless of the mark. There is no retake possible for the group assignments.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Business Engineering: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Business Economics: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of International Business: Standaard traject
Master of Business Engineering: Business and Technology: Standaard traject