85868 - Strategic Management Ii

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will know the main tools for the analysis of the economic and financial performances of a firm, the basic principles for the investments’ decision and the key elements for a strategic planning and control.

Course contents

Teaching Unit 1 (4 hours): PRINCIPLES OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

•The decision process of a firm

•Business information system

•Criteria supporting the decision process (efficiency, efficacy, profitability)

Teaching Unit 2 (4 hours): STRATEGY ANALYSIS

•Analysis of the competitive environment

•Strategy: definition, levels, roles and basic tools

•Competitive advantage

•Teaching Unit 1 (10 hours): STRATEGIES

a)Competitive strategies (cost leadership; differentiation; cost/differentiation focus)

b)Capabilities development strategies (alliances)

c)Corporate strategies (integration; diversification; foreign entry strategies)

•Teaching Unit 4 (12 hours): Exercises, applications and seminars (depending on the availability) (case studies, business plan and business model exercises)

Prerequisites: The student needs to have an adequate preparation in basic mathematics, statistics and economics.

Readings/Bibliography

Besanko D. (2013). Economics of strategy. John Wiley and Sons Inc. (available at the Faculty Library)

Lectures notes and materials recommended by the teacher.

Teaching methods

The teaching module is constituted by oral lessons, exercises and (it coud be) seminars.

The teaching module is divided into 4 teaching units: 3 teaching units (18 hours) are oral lessons and the fourth (12 hours) is dedicated to exercises (and seminars) about the issues developed throughout the module.

Seminars on topics developed during the course could take place in the fourth teaching unit of the module.

Assessment methods

Oral examination (about 20-30 minutes), occasionally with exercises.

A self-assessment written test could be organised at the end of the course, not compulsory for students.

The course comprehends two modules: final score will be an average of the results obtained in each module.

Students can take the final exam in English. 

Teaching tools

Whiteboard, projector, pc.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Castellini