ERA BUSINESS SCHOOLSession Plan

2013-15 Trimester 5

Paper: Business Policy and Strategy

Instructor: HITESH MANOCHA

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The course aims to make the students appreciate the various dimensions of business strategy. To survive in a competitive market, organizations need to carry out long-term planning. The course aims to make the students understand the various aspects of business strategy.

TEXT BOOK

Strategic Management by Pearce and Robinson, 12th edition, Tata McGraw Hill (SM)

PEDAGOGY

This will entail a combination of lectures, assignments, case discussions/presentations and written examinations.

EVALUATION

Presentations: 15 %Mid-term/Viva: 20%Class participation: 10%Assignments: 15 %End term examination: 40%

Assessment Rationale: Working on assignments improve interpersonal and team building skills. Working on presentations enhances oral communication and public speaking skills. Class participation enhances listening and analytical skills.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course the learning outcomes are:

Understanding the concept and levels of strategy. Techniques to analyze competition, industry. Formulation of various strategies and challenges in carrying out

implementation.

Other Reference Textbook

Strategic Management and Business policy by Azhar Kazmi, Tata McGraw Hill, 3rd edition

Session wise details

Session 1 and 2

Topic:

Introduction to strategic managementRef: SM Chapter 1Learning objectives: Understand the concept of strategy, strategic management, scope and levels of strategic planning. Appreciate the importance of strategic planning as a process.

Session 3

Topic:

Understanding Mission Ref: SM Chapter 2Learning objectives: Understand the relevance of writing mission, vision and objectives of an organization. Analyze the factors which are taken into

consideration in writing such statements. Discuss the role of board of directors.

Session 4 and 5

Topic

Management Audit Ref: SM Chapter 4 & 6

Learning objectives: Understand the concept and scope of audit. Understand the role of environment and how it influences the strategy building process. Also understand the role of SWOT analysis and concepts of competitive advantage in building strategy. Appreciate the role of value chain and resource analysis in strategy building approach.

Session 6 and 7

Topic

Analysis of competitionRef: SM Chapter 4

Learning objectives: Understand the various techniques of analyzing competition. Appreciate the levels of competition and appreciate the concept of competitive equilibrium.

Session 8

Topic

Presentations/case discussionsCase: Facebook versus Twitter

Session 9

Topic

Presentations/case discussionsCase: Microsoft defends its empire

Session 10, 11 and 12

Strategy FormulationRef: SM Chapter 8 and 9

Learning objectives: Understand the role of portfolio management techniques. Appreciate the various business strategies which can be deployed by an organization. Analyze the role of market position on strategy

Session 13

Topic

Presentations/case discussionsCase: McDonald’s and its critics.

Session 14

Presentations/case discussions Case: Gati Ltd

Session 15Presentations/case discussions Case: Southwest Airlines

Session 16 and 17

Long-term objectives and strategiesRef: SM Chapter 7

Learning objectives: Appreciate the concept and importance of long-term objectives. Understand the various strategies which are used to achieve these long-term objectives

Session 18

Presentations/case discussionsCase: Flipkart an Infosys in making

Session 19TopicStrategy Implementation and role of functional strategiesRef: SM Chapter 10

Learning objectives: Appreciate the role of short-term objectives and policies in implementation of strategies. Appreciate the linkages of functional strategies with business strategies. Understand the role of functional strategies in strategy implementation.

Session 20

Presentations/case discussionsCase: Strategic leadership and innovation at Apple.