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2015/2016  BA-BHAAV1040U  Business Strategy

English Title
Business Strategy

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn, Spring, Third Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Gert Michael Mortensen - Department of Organization (IOA)
Contact information: https:/​/​e-campus.dk/​studium/​kontakt/​student-hub
Main academic disciplines
  • Management
  • Organization
  • Strategy
Last updated on 07-10-2015
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors: The student will develop his/her ability to analyse and discuss strategic issues, both competitive and corporate strategies in various business situations as well as his/her ability to communicate these both in groups and in class.
The student will get an overview of and insight into strategic analysis, strategy formulation and strategy implementation, including competitive and corporate strategy and strategic development processes with an understanding of relevant concepts and tools to be used as a framework in relation to strategy and other areas of management and business topics.
After having attended the course, the student should be able to: :
  • demonstrate general knowledge about strategy as a discipline or academic field of study and a realm of corporate or organizational practice
  • account for the elements of strategic management and strategy development
  • account for and apply relevant strategic analytical frameworks and concepts in relation to given situations
  • to select and prioritize among the frameworks and concepts applying the most relevant
  • ability to critically analyze theoretical and/or practice oriented strategic challenges, in particular the ones relevant to internationally oriented organizations
Course prerequisites
Basic knowledge of business, general management and organization theory is required.
Examination
4 hour written sit-in exam:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Written sit-in exam
Individual or group exam Individual
Assignment type Case based assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Autumn and Spring
Aids allowed to bring to the exam Limited aids, see the list below:
  • Written sit-in-exam on CBS' computers
  • Books and compendia brought by the examinee
  • Allowed dictionaries
  • Allowed calculators
  • Notes in paper format brought by the examinee
  • Access to personal drive (S-drive) on CBS' network
  • USB key to upload your notes before the exam
Make-up exam/re-exam
Another examination form
The make-up/re-exam will be held as a 4 day home assignment. There is a strict maximum length of 10 pages.
Course content and structure

The course aims to provide students with a framework for understanding the elements of strategic management - i.e. the strategic analysis, the strategy formulation and the strategy implementation – as well as an understanding of the issues related to the strategy development process.

Through a fairly structured approach the course will give students an opportunity to work with the vast variety of concepts and tools related to strategic management. Apart from the set of models specifically developed for strategic analysis and development, the course will also draw on the various subjects taught at other undergraduate business courses. The students will compare theory and practice and apply concepts and tools through illustrations and case studies.

Taking into consideration that the students represent different countries, the course focus on strategy development in companies operating on the international scene.

The course starts with an overview of the curriculum, the elements of strategic management and the strategy development process. Then the framework and tools for defining the strategic position of a company is analysed and discussed including analyses of the company’s internal resources, relative power position, norms and expectations. Then we move on to discuss the company’s strategic choices such as the coporate and competitive strategies and the problems of defining and sustaining these.

Finally the issues related to the implementation of the chosen strategic options are discussed with particular emphasis on change management issues.

Case studies will be used during the course - in the beginning in a fairly focused way, later in the course in a more all-embracing way – to consolidate the learning stages of the course.
Teaching methods
The course comprises lectures and case discussions. The students meet before class to discuss and prepare their presentation of the assigned aspect of the case.
Further Information

For course schedule see LEARN or relevant webpage.
Expected literature

G. Johnson, K. Scholes, R. Whittington et al.: Exploring Strategy - text and cases, 10th. edition, Pearson. 2014.

-Selected cases.
Last updated on 07-10-2015