55804 - Business Strategy

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module, 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 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