MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy Course Syllabus Course Description Presents an integrative analysis and case studies on the process of developing and managing business strategies. Topics include development of corporate goals and objectives, competitive analysis, business model examination, and organizational systems design for plan implementation. Course Textbook Wheelen, T. L., Hunger, J. D., Hoffman, A. N., & Bamford, C. E. (2015). Concepts in strategic management and business policy: Globalization, innovation, and sustainability (14th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Course Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Compare and contrast different strategic models. 2. Compare and contrast the integral functions of corporate governance. 3. Explain how the evolvement of the Internet impacts corporations based on the seven current world-wide trends it influences. 4. Analyze the processes for formulating corporate strategy. 5. Evaluate methods that impact strategy implementation, such as staffing, directing, and organizing. Credits Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit. Course Structure 1. Unit Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit. 2. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses unit material. 3. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook or outside research. Suggested Readings are listed in the Unit I, III, and V-VIII study guides to aid students in their course of study. The readings themselves may or may not be provided in the course, but students are encouraged to read the resources listed if the opportunity arises as they have valuable information that expands upon the lesson material. Students will not be tested on their knowledge of the Suggested Readings. 4. Discussion Boards: Discussion Boards are a part of all CSU term courses. Information and specifications regarding these assignments are provided in the Academic Policies listed in the Course Menu bar. 5. Unit Assessments: This course contains five Unit Assessments, one to be completed at the end of Units I, IV, V, and VI. Assessments are composed of written response questions. 6. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units II-IV, VII, and VIII. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with the Units II-IV, VII, and VIII Assignments. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below. 7. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content related questions. 8. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy 1
CSU Online Library There is a virtual library with resources, including both journals and ebooks, to support your program and your course at Columbia Southern University. eresources are accessible 24 hours a day/7 days a week from the CSU Online Library gateway page. To access the library, log into mycsu, and then click on CSU Online Library. Resources are organized in the library by title, but if you click on Research Guides, you will find eresources arranged by subject. The Library Reference service is available 7 days a week; you can reach CSU s virtual librarians by emailing thevirtuallibrarian@columbiasouthern.edu. These professional librarians will be glad to help you develop your research plan or to assist you in any way in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information. Librarian responses may occur within minutes or hours, but it will never take more than 24 hours for a librarian to send a response to the email address you have provided. Replies to reference requests may include customized keyword search strategies, links to videos, research guides, screen captures, attachments, a phone call, live screen sharing, and meeting room appointments, as well as other forms of instruction. Unit Assignments In order to thoroughly research the company you choose, you should work on the Unit VIII Course Project throughout the course. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL UNIT VIII TO BEGIN YOUR WORK. Unit II Mini Project SWOT Analysis Based on your unit reading, create a SWOT analysis for the company you chose to research. Your analysis should be between one to two pages, and identify the company s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Use Microsoft Word and create four sections for your paper using the SWOT categories as your headings. Each category should have approximately 200-300 words describing the issues that fall under that area, for a total of 800-1,200 words across the four areas of the mini-swot analysis. The opportunities and threats should have at least ten items identified for each. Format your SWOT analysis using APA Style. Use your own words, and include citations and references as needed to avoid plagiarism. Unit III PowerPoint Presentation Review both Milton Friedman's Traditional View of Business Responsibility (pages 70-71) and Archie Carroll's Four Responsibilities of Business (page 71-72) in the textbook, and develop an understanding of their ethical principles. Your research must include resources from the college s Online Library, sources that should be cited in the PowerPoint. You are to compare the two theories and create a PowerPoint presentation on your comparative study. Your PowerPoint presentation should include the following elements: Slide 1: Title page Slides 2-3: A summary of Milton Friedman's main points Slides 4-5: A summary of Archie Carroll's main points Slide 6: Which principles would you like implemented at your current place of work (or where you wish to work in the future), and why? Slides 7-8: Provide two detailed examples of organizations where you believe that Friedman's theories are applied. Slides 9-10: Provide two detailed examples of organizations where you believe that Carroll's theories are applied. Slide 11: List of sources using APA guidelines MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy 2
Unit IV Mini Project EFAS table Using the information gathered from your SWOT analysis conducted in Unit II, create an EFAS table for the company you researched. Use Microsoft Word to create your table. It should have five columns. The first column heading should be entitled External Factors, the second column should be titled Weight, the third column should be titled Rating, the fourth column should be titled Weighted Score, and the fifth column should be titled Comments. (Refer to page 121 in your textbook for an example.) 1. In the External Factors column, list at least six opportunities you saw in the company you researched. Underneath the opportunities, list at least six threats you saw in the company you researched. 2. In the Weight column, assign an importance factor to each of these issues from 0.0-1.0 (1.0 is most important; 0.0 is least important). These ratings are based on the probable impact on a particular company s current strategic position. The higher the weight, the more important the factor to the current and future success of the company. You may not be privy to the exact information for this company, so in some cases you will need to use your best judgment. (You will justify your weighting in column five.) 3. In the Rating column, assign a rating factor from 5.0-1.0 (5.0 is outstanding; 1.0 is poor). These ratings are based on the company s response to that particular factor. It is a judgment call on how the company is currently dealing with each specific factor. Once again, you may need to make an estimate in this area if you are not privy to all of the information. (You will justify your weighting in column five.) 4. In the Weighted Score column, multiply the weight from column two by the rating in column three to get the factor s weighted score. 5. In the Comments column, explain why a particular factor was selected and how its weight and rating were estimated. 6. At the bottom of column four, add the weighted scores for the external factors. Is the company doing better or worse than others in the same industry? Complete this answer underneath your table. Format your assignment using APA Style. Use your own words, and include citations and references as needed to avoid plagiarism. Unit VII PowerPoint Presentation Click here to review the portion of Web Chapter A concerning new product innovation. Then, select a new product that you have been introduced to in the past 12 months. You are also welcome and encouraged to research this new product using outside sources. You are to create a PowerPoint presentation about the marketing strategy for this relatively new product. Your PowerPoint presentation should include the following elements: Slide 1: Title page Slide 2: Description of the new product Slide 3: Explain which category of innovation is emphasized. Slide 4: List what differentiates the product from the competition. Slide 5: Describe the product's target market and its demographics. Slide 6: Describe the market size and potential product demand. Slide 7: Explain which stage of the product life cycle the product is in. Slide 8: Predict product demand in five years. Slide 9: List of sources using APA guidelines Unit VIII Course Project Case Analysis Please note: In order to thoroughly research the company you have chosen, you should work on this project throughout the course. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL UNIT VIII TO BEGIN YOUR WORK. Research ONE of the following four companies: 1. Apple MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy 3
2. Google 3. Coca Cola 4. American Airlines Respond to the four writing prompts below. Your responses must include information from your course materials and from outside research, including at least two resources from the CSU Online Library and at least two online sources. Suggestions for online sources can be found in Appendix 12.A in your textbook. The CSU Online Library can be found in the mycsu Student Portal. The library offers several research resources, such as short tutorials on subject research guides and accessing the library. You can also reach out to the librarians at thevirtuallibrarian@columbiasouthern.edu. 1. Create a case study summary of the company you have chosen including a general overview of the company and its external environment, a list of its current strategies and objectives, and a financial analysis of the company using ratio analysis. 2. If the company continues with its present strategies and objectives, where will it be in five years? 3. If you were the CEO of the company, what strategies would you recommend and why? 4. Describe the competitive strategies used by the company s main competitors. Which of these strategies are the most effective? How can your company combat these strategies? Support your answers. If you paraphrase or quote words or ideas from your course textbook or other resources, you should cite your sources using APA guidelines. Your case analysis should be at least eight pages in length. Please contact your instructor if you have any questions. APA Guidelines The application of the APA writing style shall be practical, functional, and appropriate to each academic level, with the primary purpose being the documentation (citation) of sources. CSU requires that students use APA style for certain papers and projects. Students should always carefully read and follow assignment directions and review the associated grading rubric when available. Students can find CSU s Citation Guide in the mycsu Student Portal by clicking on the Citation Resources link in the Learning Resources area. This document includes examples and sample papers and provides information on how to contact the CSU Success Center. Grading Rubrics This course utilizes analytic grading rubrics as tools for your professor in assigning grades for all learning activities. Each rubric serves as a guide that communicates the expectations of the learning activity and describes the criteria for each level of achievement. In addition, a rubric is a reference tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your efforts to meet the requirements of that learning activity. It is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with these rubrics because these are the primary tools your professor uses for assessing learning activities. Rubric categories include: (1) Discussion Board, (2) Assessment (Written Response), and (3) Assignment. However, it is possible that not all of the listed rubric types will be used in a single course (e.g., some courses may not have Assessments). The Discussion Board rubric can be found within Unit I s Discussion Board submission instructions. The Assessment (Written Response) rubric can be found embedded in a link within the directions for each Unit Assessment. However, these rubrics will only be used when written-response questions appear within the Assessment. Each Assignment type (e.g., article critique, case study, research paper) will have its own rubric. The Assignment rubrics are built into Blackboard, allowing students to review them prior to beginning the Assignment and again once the Assignment has been scored. This rubric can be accessed via the Assignment link located within the unit where it is to be submitted. Students may also access the rubric through the course menu by selecting Tools and then My Grades. Again, it is vitally important for you to become familiar with these rubrics because their application to your Discussion Boards, Assessments, and Assignments is the method by which your instructor assigns all grades. MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy 4
Communication Forums These are non-graded discussion forums that allow you to communicate with your professor and other students. Participation in these discussion forums is encouraged, but not required. You can access these forums with the buttons in the Course Menu. Instructions for subscribing/unsubscribing to these forums are provided below. Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and post to the Communication Forums. Ask the Professor This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content questions. Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course components, textbook or course content elaboration, additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general advice from other students. Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding assessment/assignment grades or personal accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If you have questions, comments, or concerns of a nonpublic nature, please feel free to email your professor. Responses to your post will be addressed or emailed by the professor within 48 hours. Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant course documentation, including the syllabus, assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other important information. Student Break Room This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. Communication on this forum should always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to share assessment answers. Grading Discussion Boards (8 @ 2%) = 16% Unit Assessments (4 @ 7%) = 28% Mini Projects (2 @ 9%) = 18% PowerPoint Presentations (2 @ 8%) = 16% Unit VIII Course Project = 22% Total = 100% Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT) The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy 5
MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy Course Schedule By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this schedule for reference as you progress through your course. Unit I Governance and the Value of Planning Unit Study Guide Chapter 1: Basic Concepts of Strategic Management Chapter 2: Corporate Governance Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Tuesday, Assessment by Tuesday, Unit II Environmental Scanning and SWOT Analysis Unit Study Guide Reading Assignment: See Study Guide Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Tuesday, Mini Project by Tuesday, Unit III Corporate Social Responsibility Unit Study Guide Chapter 3: Social Responsibility and Ethics in Strategic Management Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Tuesday, PowerPoint Presentation by Tuesday, MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy 6
MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy Course Schedule Unit IV Environmental Scanning Unit Study Guide Chapter 4: Environmental Scanning and Industry Analysis Chapter 5: Internal Scanning: Organizational Analysis Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Tuesday, Assessment by Tuesday, Mini Project by Tuesday, Unit V The Strategic Decision Process Unit Study Guide Chapter 6: Strategy Formulation: Situation Analysis and Business Strategy Chapter 7: Strategy Formulation: Corporate Strategy Chapter 8: Strategy Formulation: Functional Strategy and Strategic Choice Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Tuesday, Assessment by Tuesday, Unit VI Strategy Implementation Unit Study Guide Chapter 9: Strategy Implementation: Organizing for Action Chapter 10: Strategy Implementation: Staffing and Directing Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Tuesday, Assessment by Tuesday, MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy 7
MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy Course Schedule Unit VII Product Innovation Management Unit Study Guide Reading Assignment: See Study Guide Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Tuesday, PowerPoint Presentation by Tuesday, Unit VIII Case Study Unit Study Guide Chapter 12: Suggestions for Case Analysis Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Tuesday, Course Project by Tuesday, MBA 5101, Strategic Management and Business Policy 8