311 Business Strategy Tuesday and Thursday: 6:00PM – 9:00PM
Contents
1. emphasized and evaluated see details below Please note that each student must pass the writing component of a WI course in order to pass the course regardless of his or her performance on all other course components 2 1 Student Learning Outcomes SPECIFIC COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1 COURSE INTRODUCTION In this section of the course students will demonstrate their understanding of the overall design of the course the specific course components involved and the foundational terms upon which the course will build 1 1 Students will read the contents of this course syllabus 1 2 Students will identify the necessary elements for completing a case study analysis in this class in preparation for completing a case study in later course modules and an individual project 1 3 Students will identify the terms and procedures from the Participant s Guide for the Glo bus strategy simulation in preparation for participation in the simulation 1 4 Students will define and describe the terms strategy and the strategic management process 1 6 Students will define and correctly utilize the vision mission and values framework 2 STRATEGIC ANALYSIS Strategy Module 1 Students will define the terms describe the frameworks and engage in the process of strategic analysis 2 1 Students will define the components of external environment analysis and conduct an external environment analysis for a real company 2 1 1 Students will def2. so on This is a big picture course The problems and issues surrounding the tasks of crafting and implementing strategy cover the whole spectrum of business and management Many variables and situational factors must be dealt with at once Weighing the pros and cons of one strategic option versus another entails a total enterprise perspective and good judgment about how all of the relevant factors combine to shape what actions need to be taken Strategy involves the careful consideration of current and past contextual and organizational factors as well as imaginative and prospective consideration of what future alternatives are possible to realize As such this course requires students to be somewhat ambi brained In other words this course requires the use of both logical analytic and the visual creative thinking Finally this is a WRITING INTESTIVE WI course WI courses are intended to foster the development of communication skills needed for effective participation in the business world Effective communication written verbal and nonverbal is a highly valued and marketable skill in any field Surveys have shown that the ability to communicate well is ranked by business executives as first among the personal factors necessary for promotion This course will focus on continuous improvement in written language Please note that although this course has an official writing intensive designation oral communication skills will also be
3. 2 11 59 pm End of Practice Period Data reset to Year 6 and practice results Tue 11 4 11 59 pm are no longer available Quiz 1 Sun 11 9 11 59 pm Decision 1 Year 6 Sun 11 9 11 59 pm Decision 2 Year 7 Thu 11 13 11 59 pm Decision 3 Year 8 Sun 11 16 11 59 pm Decision 4 Year 9 Thu 11 20 11 59 pm Decision 5 Year 10 Sun 11 23 11 59 pm Decision 6 Year 11 Sun 11 30 11 59 pm Decision 7 Year 12 Thu 12 4 11 59 pm COURSE AND UNIVERSITY PROCEDURES AND POLICIES 8 0 Drop Policy If you discover that you need to drop this class you must go to the Records Office and ask for the necessary paperwork Professors cannot drop students this is always the responsibility of the student The record s office will provide a deadline for which the form must be returned completed and signed Once you return the signed form to the records office and wait 24 hours you must go into Duck Trax and confirm that you are no longer enrolled Should you still be enrolled FOLLOW UP with the records office immediately You are to attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence Should you miss the deadline or fail to follow the procedure you will receive an F in the course 9 0 Academic Integrity 10 0 11 0 12 0 Texas A amp M University Central Texas expects all students to maintain high standards of honor in personal and scholarly conduct Any deviation from this expectation may result in a minimum of a failing grad
4. University lt COLLEGE of BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION CENTRAL TEXAS Texas A amp M University Central Texas GBK 459 311 Business Strategy Tuesday and Thursday 6 00PM 9 00PM Founders Hall 411 INSTRUCTOR AND CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor Lee Warren Brown Ph D Office 318B Phone 254 519 5757 If unavailable COBA Department Main Phone Number 254 519 5437 Email Iwbrown tamuct edu Office Hours 2 8 Weeks Monday 8 30 11 30AM amp Tuesday 3 00 6 00 Class Schedule TTh 6 00 9 00 Student instructor interaction will do my best to check the Blackboard message area at least daily during the work week also regularly check my TAMUCT e mail Iwbrown tamuct edu several times a day during the workweek and occasionally on weekends Note that cannot guarantee immediate replies to student e mails However in most cases will e mail responses back within 24 hours unless it is over the weekend or am out of town UNILERT Emergency Warning System for Texas A amp M University Central Texas UNILERT is an emergency notification service that gives Texas A amp M University Central Texas the ability to communicate health and safety emergency information quickly via email text message and social media All students are automatically enrolled in UNILERT through their myCT email account Connect at www TAMUCT edu UNILERT to change where you receive your alerts or to opt out By staying enrolled in UNILERT university officials
5. campus and online Subjects tutored include Accounting Finance Statistics Mathematics and Writing Tutors are available at the Tutoring Center in Warrior Hall Room 111 Visit www ct tamus edu AcademicSupport and click Tutoring Support for tutor schedules and contact info If you have questions need to schedule a tutoring session or if you re interested in becoming a tutor contact Academic Support Programs at 254 501 5830 or by emailing tutoring ct tamus edu Chat live with a tutor 24 7 for almost any subject on your computer Tutor com is an online tutoring platform that enables TAMUCT students to log in and receive FREE online tutoring and writing support This tool provides tutoring in Mathematics Writing Career Writing Chemistry Physics Biology Spanish Calculus and Statistics To access Tutor com log into your Blackboard account and click Online Tutoring Library Services Library distance education services aims to make available quality assistance to A amp M Central Texas students seeking information sources remotely by providing digital reference online information literacy tutorials and digital research materials Much of the TAMUCT collection is available instantly from home This includes over half of the library s book collection as well as approximately 25 000 electronic journals and 200 online databases Library Distance Education Services are outlined and accessed at http www tamuct edu departments library deser
6. can quickly pass on safety related information regardless of your location COURSE INFORMATION 1 0 2 0 Course Overview and description This is a writing intensive capstone course involving the integration of concepts and principles studied in accounting economics finance management marketing quantitative methods and other relevant business disciplines It includes aspects relating to both creative and technical problem solving business decision making It is designed to be taken by senior business majors during their last semester but may be taken earlier if the necessary prerequisites have already been completed see next section Course Objective GB 459 is a challenging capstone course that focuses on how firms formulate implement evaluate and present strategies through written case study analysis presentations and a computer based business simulation The course centers on the theme that a company achieves sustained success if and only if its managers 1 have an astute timely strategic game plan for the company and 2 implement and execute the plan with proficiency This course allows students to explore in depth how and why a well conceived and well executed strategy nearly always enhances a company s long term performance This course also gives students the opportunity to integrate much of the knowledge that they have gained in their business curriculum to date marketing accounting management finance and
7. discussion or assignment at hand without fear of disruption retribution or unwarranted criticism Finally it also includes common courtesies such as letting group members know in advance if you going to be unavailable for a scheduled meeting or if you are going to miss an agreed upon deadline due to an unforeseen disruption Demonstrate PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY at all times by complying with all guidelines and restrictions regarding the completion of student work the use of external sources and the general compliance with the TAMUCT academic integrity policy and the giving of specific accurate and timely peer performance evaluation Demonstrate a commitment to PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT at all times by reading comprehending integrating and applying all textbook and other reading materials audio and video supplements to all course assignments and activities as measured by exams cases simulation reviews etc and by successfully completing all assignments and activities to the best of one s abilities at the present time Demonstrate PROFESSIONAL MATURITY at all times by accepting the circumstances under which one has chosen to attempt to complete this course and by accepting the evaluation of one s work by one s peers and or instructor without complaining or resorting to irrelevant appeals e g this could hurt my GPA I was really busy etc This is notwithstanding any exceptional situations in which a student is able
8. e for the assignment and potentially a failing grade for the course All academic dishonesty concerns will be reported to the university s Office of Student Conduct Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating on an examination or other academic work plagiarism and improper citation of sources using another student s work collusion and the abuse of resource materials When in doubt on collaboration citation or any issue please contact me before taking a course of action More information can be found at http www tamuct edu departments studentconduct academicintegrity php Disability Support Services At Texas A amp M University Central Texas we value an inclusive learning environment where every student has an equal chance to succeed and has the right to an education that is barrier free The Office of Disability Support and Access is responsible for ensuring that students with a disability enjoy equal access to the University s programs services and activities Some aspects of this course or the way the course is taught may present barriers to learning due to a disability If you feel this is the case please contact Disability Support and Access at 254 501 5831 in Warrior Hall Ste 212 For more information please visit their website at www tamuct disabilitysupport Any information you provide is private and confidential and will be treated as such Tutoring Tutoring is available to all TAMUCT students both on
9. en you take an exam or submit an assignment Upon logging on to Blackboard Learn you will see a link to Blackboard Student Orientation under My Courses tab Click on that link and study the materials in this orientation course The new Blackboard is a brand new interface and you will have to come up to speed with it really quickly This orientation course will help you get there There is also a link to Blackboard Help from inside the course on the left hand menu bar The first week of the course includes activities and assignments that will help you get up to speed with navigation sending and 6 1 receiving messages and discussion posts and submitting an assignment Your ability to function within the Blackboard system will facilitate your success in this course Technology issues are not an excuse for missing a course requirement make sure your computer is configured correctly and address issues well in advance of deadlines Technology Support For technology issues students should contact Help Desk Central 24 hours a day 7 days a week Email helpdesk tamu edu Phone 254 519 5466 Web Chat http hdc tamu edu When calling for support please let your support technician know you are a TAMUCT student For issues related to course content and requirements contact your instructor COURSE OUTLINE AND CALENDAR 7 0 Complete Course Outline Note In addition to the chapter text there will be supplemental text audio and or vid
10. eo posted to the blackboard chapter sections that you will be responsible for each week This course is designed in three modules Within each module is a weekly breakdown text chapters and additional supplemental materials Each module covers one piece of the strategic management process Module 1 Strategic Analysis Module 2 Strategic Formulation Module 3 Strategic Implementation Weekly Coursework Module Assignments Due Module 1 Strategic Analysis Week 1 Introduction to Strategic Management amp Class Introduction amp Globus Intro amp Chapter 1 Week 2 GloBus Intro amp Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Week 3 Chapter 4 Module 2 Strategic Formulation Chapter 5 Week 4 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Week 5 Chapter 8 Module 3 Strategic Implementation Week 6 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Week 7 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Finals Week Week 8 ALLE MEE Brown ll Decision Round Schedule All times are displayed in the US Central time zone GMT 06 00 Central Time US amp Canada TUTORIAL 1 Basics amp Mechanics Tuesday October 21 in class TUTORIAL 2 Relationships amp Winning Strategies Tuesday October 28 in class Decision Deadline For Saving Entries Practice Decision 1 Practice Year 6 Sun 10 26 11 59 pm Practice Decision 2 Practice Year 7 Sun 11
11. es short answer or essay questions grades will not be posted until your professor manually grades these items usually within days of the testing period ending TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORT 6 0 Technology Requirements This course will use the TAMUCT Blackboard Learn learning management system for class communications content distribution and assessments Logon to https tamuct blackboard com to access the course Username Your MyCT username xx123 or everything before the in your MyCT e mail address Initial password Your MyCT password For this course you will need reliable and frequent access to a computer and to the Internet You will also need a headset with a microphone or speakers and a microphone to be able to listen to online resources and conduct other activities in the course If you do not have frequent and reliable access to a computer with Internet connection please consider dropping this course or contact me to discuss your situation Blackboard supports the most common operating systems PC Windows 8 Windows 7 Windows Vista Mac Mac OS X 10 9 Mavericks 10 8 Mountain Lion and 10 7 Lion NOTE Computers using Windows XP Windows 8 RT and OS X 10 6 or lower are NO longer supported Check browser and computer compatibility by following the Browser Check link on the TAMUCT Blackboard logon page https tamuct blackboard com This is a CRITICAL step as these settings are important for wh
12. ext for up to 7 days while they wait for their paper copy to arrive by mail This is especially attractive for 8 week courses where it is not practicable to wait several days for a text to arrive COURSE REQUIREMENTS 4 0 Course Requirements GENERAL BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES In addition to the General and Specific Course Learning Objectives each student must Demonstrate PROFESSIONAL INITIATIVE at all times by taking responsibility for one s own performance in the course as well as for any opportunities one may be able to take to enhance the course for others This should be demonstrated vis a vis course assignment details course deadlines and personal time management generally contributions to groupwork use of required course technology and the anticipation and competent management of contingencies relating to oneself and to others that may affect one s performance in the course e g job family other courses Demonstrate PROFESSIONAL COURTESY at all times by maintaining a professional tone in all communication with all persons involved with this course peers professor teaching assistant etc This includes any communication that may involve reporting interpersonal conflict engaging in discussions or disputes or giving responding to negative feedback Professional courtesy also includes a commitment to listening well and to engaging in meaningful dialogue where other parties are given ample opportunity to contribute to the
13. f your ongoing decision making within the simulated industry and competitive environment There are five factors that determine the performance of your firm within the simulation Each of these factors is weighted equally These factors are Earnings per share Return on equity Credit rating Image rating Stock price Grades Your final grade in this course will be broken down according to the components described above and the weightings shown below Assignments Exams 3 350 points or 35 Group Case Analysis 250 points or 25 Individual Book Write up 150 points or 15 Participation and professionalism 100 points or 10 Business strategy game 150 points or 15 Totals 1000 points 100 If your final average is at least but less than your grade is Grade Curves Although grade adjustments in my classes are rare reserve the right to adjust or not adjust course grades at my discretion Adjustments are considered only for final grades and not for individual assignments Please do not contact me to request an adjustment unless you believe have made an evaluation error and have written documentation to support your argument Any discretionary adjustments on my part will be uniformly applied to all students in the course 5 0 Posting of Grades If the exam is fully multiple choice it will be graded automatically by Blackboard and grades will be available to students once the testing period ends If the exam includ
14. ine and describe the components of the general environment and conduct an analysis of the general environment of a real company 2 1 2 Students will define and describe the components of the competitive environment and conduct an analysis of the competitive environment of a real industry 2 1 3 Students will define and describe the strategic groups framework and conduct a strategic groups analysis for a real industry 2 2 Students will define the components of internal environment analysis and conduct an internal analysis for a real company 2 2 1 Students will identify the components and distinctive features of the value chain analysis framework and conduct a value chain analysis of both a firm and an industry 2 2 2 Students will identify the components and distinctive features of the resource based view of the firm and conduct a resource analysis for a real firm 3 STRATEGIC FORMULATION Strategy Module 2 Students will identify the principles and processes of formulating strategy and will formulate a strategy for a real company 3 1 Students will identify the distinctive features of business level cost leadership differentiation focus and combination strategies and create a set of strategic alternatives for a real company based on these strategies Students will also implement one or more of these strategies as part of a course strategy simulation 3 2 Students will identify different varieties of corporate diversification and
15. is the entire paper hangs together as a cohesive whole support the analysis and conclusions Only high quality permissible sources have been consulted sources sane A sas poi All margins font style size headings citations bibliographic entries Formatting and any inserted graphics are correct as per the style guide in Blackboard Course terms and frameworks have been correctly applied and Use of Course Content utilized in the analysis such that it is clear to the reader that you fully understand them hought High level thinking is evident as is an advanced level of analytic and Quality oft and diagnostic capability recommendations are compelling and perhaps Insight surprising a TOTAL POINTS The analysis displays clear evidence of a high level of student effort multiple and varied sources have been consulted the analysis sounds credible and is consistent in quality with senior level university work the compiled data are sufficiently voluminous and comprehensive to
16. ook list and choose the book they would like to read and review For this review students will read the chosen book summarize the main narrative or argument in the text and apply some strategic management theoretical foundation to the book I E bringing in some concepts we learned in the text to the popular book they are reviewing This required paper is an integral part of students demonstrating their individual writing competence Students who do not receive a 60 or above will be required to rewrite the paper in accordance with requirements for a Writing Intensive course Class Participation Professionalism This component of the course is yours to give away You can do this by not attending class attending but not participating well or other failures to add value to the course for yourself and your peers The class participation and professionalism component is worth 10 of your final grade in this course Business Strategy Game In this course each student will individually take part in a competitive computer based business simulation The strategy simulation counts 10 of your final grade Your performance in the simulation will be determined in the following manner 10 of your final Glo Bus grade will be based on a quiz covering the information from the user s manual for the simulation The remaining 90 of your Glo Bus grade is based on the actual performance of your firm when the simulation ends Firm performance is a function o
17. should not be treated as such Do not be tempted by these page totals to think that more information means higher grades There may be some historical correlation between case length and grade but this does not mean that simply making a case longer without enhancing its quality will get you a better grade It won t Please also note that the case study is the capstone assignment in your capstone class As such it is meant to be integrative of all of the material in this course as well as concepts and analytic frameworks from your other core business courses finance accounting marketing etc In this respect it functions much like a comprehensive final exam for this course and for your undergraduate business degree The total case analyses portion of the class accounts for 30 of the final grade in this course A detailed outline of what each case analysis should include is given on the course Blackboard site have also included a detailed case study grade rubric which will use to evaluate your analyses in the Appendix of this syllabus As mentioned above have also posted several additional help files in the Case Analysis Files folder on Blackboard to guide your case study preparation As they contain information which you are required to incorporate into your analyses highly recommend that you use them Individual Assignment Book Review and Course Implementation Write Up WI Early in the semester individuals will review the b
18. tegrated bibliography 5 Presentation Each part of the case analysis will build on previous parts Once a part is submitted will try to grade and return it to you within 1 week so that your group can incorporate my feedback into your next submission The only exception to this is the final week of class when both your final case write up documents and your presentations will be completed and submitted more or less simultaneously Note that only part 4 of the case analysis i e the complete integrated case document should include any actual written revisions of previous sections In other words your part 2 should take into consideration any guidance gave you from part 1 but you should not re write part 1 and re submit it when you submit part 2 Only in part 4 should you re submit older sections as a part of your complete and final case analysis document The full details of each these assignments will also be discussed in class For additional guidance please also see the Case Analysis Files folder on Blackboard These files are important read them Please note that there is no minimum or maximum page limit for the case analyses individual parts or final submissions However experience has shown that most quality completed case studies fall in the 25 35 page range but some are longer than this will give guidance on typical page ranges for the individual case sections on Blackboard Your case analyses is not trivial exercises and
19. the relative risks and benefits inherent in each 3 3 Students will identify components of entrepreneurial strategy and competitive dynamics 4 STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION Strategy Module 3 Students will define the terms and principles of strategic implementation and will develop a strategic implementation plan for a real company 4 1 Students will identify types and principles of strategic controls and corporate governance and demonstrate these principles as part of a strategic implementation plan for a real company 4 2 Students will identify types and distinctive features of different organization structure types 4 3 Students will identify the qualities dimensions and paradoxes of innovation and the basic principles involved in managing it 3 0 Required Reading and Textbook s Dess Lumpkin Eisner and McNamara 2013 Strategic Management text and cases 7th Ed McGraw Hill Irwin New York ISBN 978 0077862527 Note students are not under any obligation to purchase their textbooks or other course materials from a university affiliated bookstore The above named textbook may also be available from an independent retailer including an online retailer or textbook rental service It is also possible to RENT a textbook including e textbooks which are downloaded as PDFs www chegg com has a nice feature that allows students who have ordered paper copies of their texts either for purchase or for rent to read PDF versions of a t
20. to provide written documentation that a legitimate objective evaluation error has been made or in which normal evaluation policy should be set aside because of a documented emergency Specific Grade Components Exams Your final grade in this course will be calculated based on a weighted average of your examinations case analyses the web based strategy simulation game individual assignment and class participation There will be three 3 exams covering the chapters in the text and any supplemental readings you may have been assigned None of these exams will be comprehensive Exams might be fully multiple choice include short answer and or essay questions Grades will be posted in a timely manner The length and formatting of each exam will be communicated in advance and your instructor reserves the right to change the format of an exam at his discretion to better meet pedagogical objectives Pease buy an 882 e scantron for the exams You can buy this at the bookstore Case Analysis There will be five 5 parts to the case analysis component in this class Each part will be completed in sequence according to the dates given in the schedule below The five parts of case analysis are 1 Strategic profile and situation analysis 2 Internal company and SWOT analysis 3 Strategic alternatives and choice 4 Final fully edited complete case document includes parts 1 through 3 plus an introduction conclusion transitions and an in
21. vices php Information literacy focuses on research skills which prepare individuals to live and work in an information centered society Librarians will work with students in the development of critical reasoning ethical use of information and the appropriate use of secondary research techniques Help may include but is not limited to the exploration of information resources such as library collections the identification of appropriate materials and the execution of effective search strategies Library Resources are outlined and accessed at http www tamuct edu departments library index php Category of Maximum napa Description of Category Paini Correct use of commas quotation marks periods semizoions ee 5 Spelling and Word Correct spelling of words correct usage of words Usage em O e correct voice no run on sentences or comma splices etc Overall comprehensibility of written English can the reader clearly pressiveness understand what you are trying to say And do you say it well Effective use of headers and transitions to guide the reader clear Organization logical flow of ideas that is consistent with the case assignment outline Analysis is clearly based on data recommendations are clearly based on analysis recommendations are framed and supported by drawing from multiple business disciplines management economics integration marketing finance etc abstract and conclusion effectively summarize the analys
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search