6 ECTS credits
151 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4018094ENW for working students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
This course is an advanced course on strategic management. It is aimed at students with a limited background or competencies in the field of business and management. The course considers strategy as the link of the firm with its environment (industry and stakeholders).
First, the question on "where to compete" is answered. Two perspectives are offered: on the one hand, industry analysis is discussed as a basis to formulate strategy, based on concepts such as PEST analysis and Porter's five forces framework, including a critical assessment of these models. On the other hand, the types of resources and capabilities, and their appraisal and development, are discussed as a basis to develop strategy. Following the discussion of these two perspectives, the nature of competitive advantage is explained by showing the difference between cost and differentiation advantage.
Second, the question on 'how to compete" is answered. Here, several challenges are addressed such as the impact of industry and non-traditional context (not-for-profit and government organizations), managing stakeholders, technology and innovation management, corporate strategy (firm scope, transaction costs, portfolio management), internationalization (entry modes, strategies in the international environment), and strategy implementation (structures, systems and performance management).
The course ends with a discussion on recent trends and challenges in strategic management such as increased volatility, the boundaryless organization and capability based structures.
The course is delivered through interactive theory lectures, practical exercises (SWOT, Portfolio Analysis), interactive case discussions (to be prepared in advance by students).
Presentation of guest speakers are in principle not recorded and posted on-line ; class presence for guest lectures is advised.
Case studies are based on previous exam questions. Students are strongly advised to prepare the cases before coming to the class discussion of these case studies. The case studies treated in class are communicated in advance via Canvas. Solutions for non-treated case studies are provided via Canvas.
Teaching Methods
- Lecture: collective contact-dependent moments during which the lecturer engages with learning materials
- Seminar, Exercises or Practicals (Practical): collective or individual contact-dependent moments during which the students are guided to actively engage with learning materials
- Independent or External Form of Study (Self): independent study
This description of the teaching methods is indicative, in order to assess the expected study load.
REGULAR AND WORKING STUDENTS
Lecture: 22 hours
Practical: 10 hours
Self: 119 hours
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The open book exam is based on case studies and guest lectures, and is solely focused on the application of theoretical concepts and models. More particularly, the ability of the student to link these concepts in a critical manner to the information provided by the case study materials (press articles, excerpts of annual reports, web information, specialized industry or company blogs, etc.).
Given that exam cases are based on recent developments in the company world, we advise students to follow the appropriate media channels reporting on companies (Financial Times, Economist, ...).
All course materials are allowed during the exam (book, slides, notes, summaries). E-readers and E-versions of course materials are not allowed given the communication possibilities of the devices supporting them.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Management: Standaard traject
Master of Biomedical Research: Standaard traject