ADVANCED STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

Academic Year: 2014-2015 Trimester: 4

Instructor: Adriano Freire, Ph.D.

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Course Description: The Advanced Strategic Management course aims to further develop the strategic
competencies of the students, by presenting and discussing world-class advanced strategic practices
and concepts in the business context. In addition, it aims to apply advanced strategic management tools
to international case-studies.
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Course Content:
Strategic Thinking
Strategic Analysis
Strategy Formulation
Strategy Implementation

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Course Outline:
Session Advanced Strategic Management Topics (Case-study)
1-2 Strategic Thinking – Value Creation
3-4 Strategic Analysis – Strategic Benchmarking (Emirates Case-study)
5-6 Strategy Formulation – Strategic Outsourcing (Apple Case-study)
7-8 Strategy Formulation – Strategic Markets (Vodafone Case-study)
9-10 Strategy Implementation – Leadership and Culture
11-12 Group Project Presentations
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Course Objectives: On completion of this course a student should be able to

• Integrate advanced strategy topics in the overall strategic analysis of the environment and firm
• Develop a flexible strategy to take into consideration the evolving nature of the business
• Align the strategy with the organizational culture and leadership

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Course Methodology: The strategic management practices and concepts taught are integrated with the
discussion of case-studies and the analysis of corporate videos. Bibliographical references complement
the course lectures. Group papers about strategic management in specific corporations are also
required in the course.
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Group Project Description: Groups of 5-7 students are required to select a specific company and to
analyze its strategy, in line with the analytical frameworks taught in class. Groups are required to submit
a written report of their projects, as well as to present them in class (sessions 11-12). The presentation
should not exceed 20 minutes. All members of the group are expected to take part in the presentation.
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Grading:
Class participation: 10%
Individual reports 20%
Group presentation: 10%
Group project: 30%
Final exam: 30 %
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Bibliography:
Rothaermel, Frank (2014). Strategic Management: Concepts, McGrawHill
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Biography: Adriano Freire earned his Ph.D. in Management in Tokyo, and is currently President of
Grupo Executivo (management consulting and training group) and Assistant Professor in the Lisbon
MBA and the M.Sc. programs at the Portuguese Catholic University, where he teaches Strategy,
Innovation and Behavioral Development courses. Adriano Freire publications include management
books on Strategy, Internationalization and Innovation.
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Contact(s) and Office hours:

Mobile phone: +351 96 80 13 923
E-mail: adriano.freire@grupoexecutivo.com
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