- Teacher: Raphaëlle Delmotte
- Teacher: Luis Hillebrand
- Teacher: Sebastian Raisch
- Teacher: Lukas Roenck
This course deals with the craft of strategy. We will apply conceptual frameworks and models developed by leading strategy scholars to analyze competitive situations and strategic options. Several real-life company cases are used to acquire practical experience in dealing with strategic issues. We start from the analysis of the external competitive environment and assess how a firm can select the best position within this environment. We then move to the analysis of firm resources, and look at the firm’s value chain and competencies that underpin corporate success. Next, we turn our attention to strategy making both at the business unit and corporate levels. We analyze business portfolios and discuss corporate social responsibility. The course concludes with the challenges of strategy execution including organizational and leadership issues. Throughout the course, we try to move beyond the necessary conceptual models and analytical techniques, and provide participants a hands-on experience of strategy.
We will address four main topics:
- Strategic Analysis: How to analyze industries and their attractiveness for conducting business? How to analyze firms and their competitive advantage?
- Competitive Strategy: What are the alternative strategies to successfully compete with rivals? When does it make sense to collaborate with rivals?
- Corporate Strategy: How to manage the portfolio of businesses? Why is corporate social responsibility of growing importance for firm success?
- Strategy Execution: How to ensure successful implementation of firm strategies? What is the role of strategic leadership in execution?
As an outcome of this course, participants are expected to acquire knowledge, skills, and sensitivities that will help them manage effectively in a business environment. Since virtually all organizations have to deal with strategic management in one form or another, this course is intended for participants interested in pursuing general management positions in almost any type of company or organization.