• Select and apply frameworks and theories from the course to a given situation
• Analyze the competitive situation in a market
• Analyze the competitive position for a firm in a market
• Predict the evolution of a market and firms’ competitive positions
• Outline and analyze the organizational factors of relevance to strategy implementation
• Outline and analyze a firm’s business model

For each topic there is a short introduction covering the basic theory and concepts used. However, most of the lectures are spent discussing the assigned cases. It is imperative that you have read the cases before class and tried to answer the assignment questions. You should be prepared to clearly state your answers to the assignment questions and defend your positions. 

This course is a first course in strategy and gives a foundational knowledge to the frameworks and concepts in the field. The course will focus both on the internal strategy formulation, analysis and implementation and as well as external industry factors and analysis.

Strategic analysis assumes that most resource and product markets are fundamentally imperfect and are not necessarily in competitive equilibrium. In fact, they would often seem to be in a state of permanent disequilibrium. Opportunities constantly emerge when industry conditions change, or when innovating firms change these conditions. Firms achieve competitive advantage by understanding these conditions and opportunities, by designing strategies and organizations that match their capabilities to available opportunities and by executing well. We will therefore also discuss your roles as general managers in organizations and how you can manage and implement strategy.

• Classic and basic theory
• New theory
• Teacher’s own research
• Methodology
• Models

• Analysis
• Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
• Students conduct independent research-like activities under supervision