75949 - Service Business Models

Learning outcomes

The course in Strategic Management aims to introduce students to competitive, corporate strategy and business model. The course is structured in two modules:

1) Service Business Models;

2) Innovation and web-based business models.

The first module (Service Business models) focuses on the foundations of strategic management: the competitive environment, competence building, strategic positioning and the sources of competitive advantage, and firm's scope (diversification and make-or-buy decisions). This part also explores the links between strategy and business models to illustrate under which conditions strategy can lead to value creation or value destruction. Strategic management theory and tools will be applied to service organizations.  

At the end of this Module students will acquire the core concepts and analytical tools needed to understand the competitive environment. Students will also acquire the skills required in strategy-making and strategy-executing process. They will know how analytical tools can be used by service firms and manufacturing firms relying on services to create and appropriate value.  

Course contents

•         Definitions and basic concepts

•         How to anticipate competitors' behavior

•         Game theory and competitor profiling

•         Resources and  competencies: theory and measures

•         Sustaining competitive advantage

•         Business diversification

•         The impact of diversification on performance

•         Evaluating diversification strategy

•         Vertical integration, transaction costs and agency costs

•         Alternatives to vertical integration: strategic alliances

•         Business models and strategy

•         Business models design

•        New business models and entrepreneurship

Readings/Bibliography

reading package
case study package

Teaching methods

Acquisition of key concepts and training with analytical tools will take place through lectures, group discussion, case studies, and readings. Teamwork will help students experiment with strategic problem solving and decision making in real business cases.

Assessment methods

Assessment is by class participation, case submission, and a final written exam.

Class participation and case submission: 40% of final grade

Final written exam:  60% of final grade

 

Teaching tools

PC with video projector for power point presentations

Links to further information

http://www.unibo.it/Faculty/Torrisi

Office hours

See the website of Salvatore Torrisi