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

Prerequisites: basic knowledge of microeconomics. If needed, Begg D. Vernasca G., Fischer S., Dornbusch R. (2014). Economics. McGraw-Hill.

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

a) Focus on case studies

b) Student's work in class on specific assignments

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

Readings/Bibliography

Reference text

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

 

During the course the teacher can provide students with specific material that supplements the notes taken in class. However this material is not sufficient to prepare the exam.

The teacher is also willing to consider other materials suggested by students and to discuss them during the course.

Teaching methods

The teaching course 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 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.

“As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] on Health and Safety online”.

Assessment methods

The course of STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT is split into 2 teaching parts: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT I (code 85867) and II (code 85868). The exam is unique.

The final exam comprises:

1. A written test covering the topics included in the syllabus for both modules. The test comprises open-ended questions (max. 5), each worth up to 5 marks, and multiple-choice questions (max. 15), each worth up to 3 marks. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. The marks awarded vary according to the difficulty of the question. Students are allowed 1 hour to complete the test; once the time is up, the test closes automatically.

During the test, the use of any supporting materials such as books, notes, slides, calculators, mobile phones and digital devices is not permitted.

The test is considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30.

2. An oral presentation accompanied by a visual aid (video with PowerPoint or other software) on a topic chosen by the student, incorporating elements related to the syllabuses of both modules. The presentation should preferably be delivered by groups of up to three students. Each student must present a part of the work carried out. The presentation may be delivered in Italian or English.

The evaluation criteria adopted relate to: mastery of the subject, clarity in the explanation, adequacy of the material presented, critical ability.

The final grade consists of the score obtained in the written test for 90% and the score obtained in the oral presentation evaluation for 10%.

Students who cannot attend the lectures in classroom, can decide to sustain the exam in the oral version.

Part of the lecture materials is supplied in English.

Students can take the final exam in English (both, presentation and test).

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

All lessons are held with the help of presentations in ppt

Equipment: Whiteboard, video projector, PC, internet access.

Videos with audio can be shown.

Online links with external experts and speakers are possible.

 

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Castellini