55804 - Business Strategy

Learning outcomes

By the end of the first module (prof. Antonio Giuliani), students will be able to develop business-level strategies. Furthermore, the course aims to equip students with the theoretical and methodological tools necessary to design an effective corporate strategy. Topics such as business definition, critical success factors, competitive analysis, strategic positioning, and growth strategies will be addressed in order to define successful strategies in markets that may vary in terms of maturity and technological innovation. The course also highlights strategies and architectures to seize market opportunities and the various applications of technology in support of strategic decision-making.

 

By the end of the second module (prof. Andrea Lipparini), students will be able to:

1. Analyze organizational resources and capabilities

   • Assess tangible and intangible resources and identify key organizational capabilities.

   • Apply frameworks (e.g., VRIO) to evaluate the sources of sustainable competitive advantage.

2. Understand the role of technology and innovation management

   • Explain how technological change impacts industry structure and firm performance.

   • Evaluate innovation strategies and their alignment with competitive and corporate goals.

3. Evaluate group-level strategies

   • Distinguish between different forms of corporate-level diversification and portfolio management.

   • Assess the benefits and risks of group strategies in creating shareholder and stakeholder value.

4. Examine global strategies and multinational enterprises (MNEs)

   • Understand the drivers and barriers to international expansion.

   • Compare different approaches to global integration and local responsiveness (e.g., transnational, multidomestic, global strategies).

5. Understand the implementation of strategy

   • Identify the organizational structures, systems, and leadership styles needed for effective execution.

   • Analyze challenges in change management and strategic alignment across functions and geographies.

6. Recognize current trends in strategic management

   • Explore how digital transformation, sustainability, and stakeholder capitalism are reshaping strategy.

   • Critically assess the implications of emerging business models and dynamic capabilities for future competitiveness.

Course contents

In Module 1 (Prof. Antonio Giuliani), the student will explore the following topics in depth:

• Strategy and its meanings

• Economic and financial evaluation of strategy: objectives, values, and performance

• Business definition and business models

• Industry analysis

• Corporate strategy and the role of external factors

• Corporate strategy and the role of internal factors

• Value proposition and sources of competitive advantage

• Cost leadership and differentiation

In Module 2 (Prof. Andrea Lipparini), the student will explore the following topics:

• Analysis of organizational resources and competencies

• Technology and innovation management

• Group strategies

• Global strategies and multinational enterprises

• Strategy implementation

• Current trends in strategic management

 

Readings/Bibliography

The textbook, which must be studied in its entirety (across Module 1 and Module 2), is:

Robert M. Grant and Judith Jordan: Foundations of Strategy. Il Mulino Publishing, 2025 edition.

In Module 2 (Prof. Andrea Lipparini), Chapters III, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X will be covered.

Teaching methods

• Lectures on the topics included in the syllabus
  
• Discussion of business cases to apply the concepts and tools from theoretical lessons
  
• Guest lectures by professionals (organized as seminars)
  
• Practical exercises
  
• Active student participation

Assessment methods

The exam will be written and will consist of multiple-choice questions.

Students may reject their grade up to a maximum of two times (including the midterm exam).

Erasmus students follow the same rules as all other students.

Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

• Below 18: insufficient

• 18–23: satisfactory

• 24–27: good

• 28–30: very good

• 30 with honors: excellent

Teaching tools

The following tools may be used:

• Case studies

• Lecture slides

• Mentimeter

• Electronic spreadsheets (xls)

• OpenBoard

• Virtual tools

• For online classes: Microsoft Teams

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Lipparini

See the website of Antonio Giuliani