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2022/2023  MA-MMBFO1187U  Master’s project: Integrated Strategy Project

English Title
Master’s project: Integrated Strategy Project

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 12 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Part Time Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Third Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Full-Time MBA
Course coordinator
  • Leonardo Santiago - Department of Operations Management (OM)
Main academic disciplines
  • Marketing
  • Organisation
  • Strategy
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 24-11-2022

Relevant links

Learning objectives
For an individual master's project based on an internship sourced by the student, see the learning objectives below 'Description of the exam procedure'.

For master's projects written in groups (based on a case provided by the MBA administration) the learning objectives are:
  • Identify and choose the relevant theories and models applicable to describe, order and analyze the problems identified during the analysis of a specific industry, the focal company, the strategic issues at stake and the implementation plan;
  • Bridge and combine theories and frameworks from different disciplines to derive a comprehensive, coherent and well-articulated picture of the industry, company, choice of strategic issue and implementation plan;
  • Use theories and frameworks to develop conclusions which are driven by data and insight and present it in a convincing manner, ensuring that the conclusions from analyses are clearly communicated
  • Analyze all problems identified, and argue why specific models have been applied
  • Present the overall conclusions in a coherent manner (as a holistic argument) where individual parts build on each other.
Examination
Integrated Strategy Project:
Exam ECTS 12
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance, see also the rules about examination forms in the programme regulations.
Individual or group exam Individual oral exam based on written group product
Number of people in the group 3-5
Size of written product Max. 60 pages
For the shorter master's project based on an internship, the allowed size of the project report is max. 30 pages. Please note that an internship master's project is an individual project, not a group project.
Assignment type Master's project
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
30 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The grade given must express an overall assessment of the written thesis (including the executive summary), the oral examination, and the student’s spelling and style, although the academic content will carry most weight.

 

Master's project with an internship
The student can choose to write an individual master's project based on an internship sourced by the student but approved by the MBA administration. The internship will revolve around a strategic research question. 

 

Learning objectives of this shorter version of the master's project:

 

  • Describe and identify a strategic issue faced by the organization where the internship is being carried out.
  • Analyse the strategic issue through the lens of relevant theories/models covered throughout the MBA program.
  • Reflect on methods and theory used to analyse the strategic issue
  • Provide a set of recommendations for the organization to move forward on the strategic issue
  • Ensure a logical coherence between problem statement, analysis and conclusion.
  • Present the overall conclusion in a coherent manner (as a holistic argument) where individual parts build on each other.

 

Exam: 30 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade.

Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The main objective of the Integrated Strategy Project at the CBS FTMBA program is to apply relevant theories, concepts, models and tools from the FTMBA program in order to solve a major strategic issue of a given firm. After this project, students should be able to master strategic business challenges and manage strategy processes effectively in competitive environments.

 

A second objective of the project is to develop holistic competencies bridging theory and practices as well as different functional disciplines. The projects demand application of concepts and models. Also, the analysis is usually based on an understanding of different functional areas (e.g. finance, operations, and marketing). The ability to manage multiple and occasionally conflicting objectives is developed – an ability which is a professional demand confronting managers involved in the transition of organizations.

 

The third objective is to support, to the extent that it is realistic, the process of organizational and strategic development in the organization within which projects are undertaken. The projects are chosen for their relevance to issues of major strategic significance in the organizations. It is important to note that the projects are not consultancy projects as such but a learning process. They are educational endeavors in which companies agree to participate. However, the participating companies should have a deep interest in the content and outcome of the projects, and in an ideal world they will implement the proposal.

 

The final objective of the project is to demonstrate the excellence of the CBS FTMBA students and the CBS FTMBA program to the corporate world. This demonstration aims at maintaining and further enhancing the reputation of the program for high standards of academic and professional endeavor. This will in turn enhance the future value of the CBS FTMBA program for its alumni. Experience also shows that the projects have served as a hiring tool for organizations and students.

Description of the teaching methods
The Integrated Strategy Project is kicked off with at 3-day seminar. During the ISP process the students present 4 sub-reports to external and internal advisors.
Feedback during the teaching period
Ongoing and structured feedback from advisors
Student workload
Teaching 20 hours
Project writing and exam preparation 300 hours
Last updated on 24-11-2022