EMBA Program

Fall 2019

Course Syllabus for: MGT 711, Corporate Strategy

(3 Credits, Prerequisite: All core Courses)
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I. CLASS AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Class Time and Location : Friday and Time 9:30am-12:30pm UB#20701
Instructor : Abu Daud Khan
Office Location :
Email : daud@enroute.com.bd
Consultation/Office Hours : By appointment.
Telephone :+8801713240168

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION(from catalog ; 5 – 7 lines; any modifications – to be approved by the

Area Coordinator)

The course focuses on advanced problems in determining, executing, and controlling strategic
management process in light of changing environments facing the organisation. It incorporates
knowledge in all major areas of business for analyses of business situations and their resolution
aimed at having a long-term impact on the firm's future progress. Emphasis is placed on dealing with
business situations through case studies, group projects, term papers, and so forth.

III. LEARNING OBJECTIVES (Mention 3–5 learning objectives, 1–3 lines each)

1. Define and understand the concept of corporate strategy

2. Introduce a variety of tools and techniques that can help students develop the skills and
knowledge to identify, evaluate and select between options in a range of competitive
business
3. Encourage participants to develop an interest in strategy and their own view of how strategy
can help them and their organizations achieve success.

IV. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (list4–6 intended learning outcomes, 1–3 lines each)

1. To provide an integrative framework that will allow students to synthesize knowledge from
other business courses into a comprehensive understanding of competitive advantage.
2. To provide a basic understanding of the nature and dynamics of the strategy formulation and
implementation processes as they occur in complex organizations.
3. Have awareness of some of the challenges inherent in implementing new strategies
4. To encourage students to think critically and strategically.
5. To develop the ability to identify strategic issues and design appropriate courses of action
V. LEARNING RESOURCES

• Core / Required Reading: Thompson/Strickland/Gamble Crafting and Executing Strategy:

The Quest for Competitive Advantage: Concepts and Cases, 20th Edition, McGraw-Hill
• Recommended Reading: Several academic institutions provide useful links and access to
information resources. knowledge@wharton ( www.knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu )
provides current and thoughtful articles. The HBR and its online option (hbr.org) are useful.
• Others:

VI. COURSE FORMAT (Write 4– 10 lines)

1. The concepts will be discussed first in the class lectures. There will be discussion in the class
involving all the students and class participation will be highly encouraged.
2. Student will be given Case Study, which they need to solve and present in group during class.
3. Throughout the session the students will be provided with different reading materials on
Corporate Strategy covering both local and international issues.
4. In order to gain more practical knowledge on local companies; assignments and other
research work have to be done on local companies.

VII. GRADING (with a few lines of description for each)

1. Class Attendance and Participation (15%):

Attendance (5%)
Students are required to attend all the classes unless there is a valid reason for remaining
absent. No attendance will be given if the students enter the class after 20 minutes. Two
unexcused absences will be permitted without having any effect on the students’ course
grade. Each additional absence will result in course grade being lowered. However, if a
student fails to attend at least 70% of the total classes as per university policy s/he will not be
allowed to take the final exam.

Class Participation (10%)

As mentioned earlier the whole course is designed on participative discussion so your
enthusiasm regarding learning the topic will be judged through the interaction you make in
the class by asking valuable and thought- provoking questions. The attendance in the class is
also very important aspect in this issue. Separate marks will be given for adding value to the
class through constructive class participation

2. Quizzes (15%)
Three plus quizzes will be taken through out the semester. There will be no option for make
up quizzes. This will stimulate you to be on the same pace with the lecture and it is also an
excellent way to evaluate your learning.

3. Midterm (20%)
The mid term exam will consist of objective questions along with few analytical questions.

4. Group Case Study (20%)

 Five Cases will be given to the students to solve. Students will form a group consist of 4 to 5
members. The Case Study paper must be submitted on time. The case has to be defended
through group presentation.

5. Final Exam (30%)

The final exam will consist of objective questions along with few analytical questions.

Activities % of the Total Assessment

Class Attendance (and Participation) 15%
Quizzes 15%
Group Case Study 20%
Mid-term Exam 20%
Final Exam 30%
Total 100%

Letter grades for the course will be based on the following scale - as specified in BRACU catalog.

Range of Marks Grade GPA Remarks

90 to 100 A 4.0 Excellent
85 to <90 A- 3.7 “
80 to <85 B+ 3.3 “
75 to <50 B 3.0 Good
70 to <75 B- 2.7 “
65 to <70 C+ 2.3 “
60 to <65 C 2.0 Fair
57 to <60 C- 1.7 “
55 to <57 D+ 1.3 “
52 to <55 D 1.0 Poor
50 to <52 D- 0.7 “
<50 F 0.0 Failure

VIII. TOPIC AND ACTIVITY SCHEDULE

Week / Topics Activities& Readings

Session Assignments
Lecture1 Well Come & Sharing Course Outline
Lecture 2 What is Strategy and Why Is It Important? Lecture Chapter 1 &2
Charting a Company’s Direction: Its Vision,
Mission, Objectives, and Strategy
Lecture 3 Evaluating a Company’s External Environment Lecture Chapter 3&4
Evaluating a Company’s Resources and Quiz 1
Competitive Position
Lecture 4 Case 4: Papa John’s International, Inc.: Its Group Case C-40
Strategy in the Pizza Restaurant Study
Industry Presentation
 Lecture 5 The Five Generic Competitive Strategies: Which Lecture Chapter 5
One to Employ?
Lecture 6 Case 18: Tata Motors in 2014: Its Multibrand Group Case C-274
Approach to Competing in the Study
Global Automobile Industry Presentation
Lecture 7 Mid Term Exam 1 Hour Exam Up to L6

Lecture 8 Corporate Strategy Diversification and the Lecture Chapter 8

Multibusiness Company

Lecture 9 Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility, Lecture Chapter 9 & 11

Environmental Sustainability, and Strategy Quiz 2

Managing Internal Operations: Actions That

Promote Good Strategy Execution
Lecture Case 21: PepsiCo’s Diversification Strategy in Group Case C-306
10 2014 C Study
Presentation
Lecture Case 23: Robin Hood Group Case C-335
11 Study
Presentation
Lecture Case 26: Detecting Unethical Practices at Supplier Group Case C-462
12 Factories: The Monitoring and Compliance Study 2009 edition
Presentation
Lecture Final Exam Two Hours Comprehensive
13

Lecture Contingency
14

Lecture Contingency
15

IX. COURSE POLICIES

1. Instructor’s Expectations of Students:

Students are expected to strive for excellence in acquiring knowledge – through attending
all classes from start to end; participating actively in class discussions; preparing for class
lectures in advance; spending at least two hours for each class-hour on, self-study,
completion of assigned tasks and preparation for class, quiz, exam, presentation, etc.; and
completing and submitting required tasks on-time.

Students are also expected to maintain a classroom environment conducive to learning, be

respectful of others’ opinions and be completely honest by implementing the highest
ethical standards. It is also expected that students will uphold this principle in all their
future endeavours, including their career activities.

2. Academic Integrity:
 Although group-study is encouraged strongly, all students/groups are expected to complete
all assignments individually. As such, one may not share, lend or borrow another student’s
(group’s) work in any manner - either on paper, by computer or by word of mouth. Any
cheating, plagiarism and other forms of scholastic dishonesty or misconduct will result in
the strictest disciplinary action - according to the BRACU regulations (please refer to BRACU
__________ Handbook).

3. Make-Up:
No make-up quiz/exam will be administered and no late homework, assignment, case or
project will be accepted except for conflicts with official university business or extreme
emergencies. In the former case, please notify the instructor (at least) one week in advance;
in the latter case, please inform prior to the exam/quiz or immediately after. Under both
situations, students are expected to provide appropriate and authentic documentation.

4. “I” and “W” Grades:

A grade of “I“ (Incomplete) will be granted only as a result of most extreme circumstances -
beyond a student’s control and only after stringent verification of the circumstance and
approval. A grade of “I” is not given in lieu of an “F” or any other passing grade. Any
student who discontinues attending class, and who does not officially drop the course/
withdraw from the university, will receive a grade of “F”.

5. Disability:
Any student who has a disability that prevents the fullest statement of his/her abilities
should contact the instructor personally. All efforts will be made to devise the appropriate
accommodation in order to facilitate student’s successful completion of the course.

6. Others:

X. DISCLAIMER
Every effort will be made to ensure that the information contained in this document is
adhered to, however, it is subject to change. Changes will be notified in class, in advance.
Students are encouraged to check with the instructor if there are any doubts. It is the
student’s responsibility to be informed.