STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

The course is one of the core courses of the degree programme in Economics and management (http://www.unive.it/data/32461/ ). The course will introduce the basic concepts of business strategy, with a special emphasis on the relationship between resources and capabilities, corporate strategy and business strategy. The course is designed specifically not only to introduce students to key strategy concepts but also aims to help students to integrate and apply their prior learning to various business situations. The course aims to support Economics and Management programme objectives with a solid grounding in technological innovation and cross-functional challenges.

The course will enable students to critically analyze concrete examples of business strategy and how firms are facing the challenges of global competition. In particular, students will be expected to be able to:
1 Knowledge and understanding
- knowledge of the fundamental principles of strategic management;
- knowledge of the theoretical frameworks apt at understanding and explaining strategy formulation and implementation,
- Knowledge and understanding of the different theoretical approaches to the study of the relationship between resources and capabilities, corporate strategy and business strategy.
2 Applying knowledge and understanding
- application of the fundamental tools and models on strategic planning;
- analyze and evaluate critically real-life company situations and develop creative solutions, using a strategic management perspective (individually and in a team setting).
3 Making judgments
- know how to frame a hypothesis and which is the most appropriate tool or model to apply;
- ability to critically evaluate the most suitable strategic options.

Basic knowledge of the theory of the firm, microeconomics, and basic management concepts will be taken for granted. Those who have not passed Principles of Management and International Accounting exam, cannot take this exam. Please consult the following page: https://www.unive.it/web/it/1188/esami

The course program includes presentation and discussion of the following subjects:
The Concept of Strategy
Industry Analysis
Resources and Capabilities
The Nature and Source of Competitive Advantage
Industry Evolution and Strategic Change
Technology-Based Industries and the Management of Innovation Corporate Strategy
Cases

Textbook:
Foundations of Strategy
Authors: Robert M. Grant, Judith J. Jordan ISBN: 978-1-118-91470-0
Press: Wiley
Chapters: 1-7

Further readings:
Strategic Management of Technological Innovation
Author: Melissa A. Schilling
Press: McGraw Hill
Chapters: 1-4

Further reading material (see moodle)

The exam is structured as follow: 60 multiple choice questions.

- For every question, only 1 answer is the correct one
- Grading: Correct answer: + 0.5 points; Wrong answer: -0.25 points; Blank answer: 0 points (if you do not want to answer to a question, select the option "I do not want to answer")

BONUS POINTS
An additional question is about the bonus points: 1 bonus point = 1 case for which you have handed in the relative short assay.
 Grading: up to 4 points
Students that do not pass the exam in the slots after the course may use the bonus points afterward.

The course teaching method is based on traditional lectures, case study teaching, class discussions.
Teamworks require students to analyze real-world case studies dealing with some of the most important theoretical topics covered in the course, to
collaborate to solve strategic problems proposed, and to discuss solutions in the classroom, with the aim to better understand the application of models, tools and theoretical approaches to real-world business cases.

Ethics, Responsibility, Sustainability (ERS)
The course will frame the firm as a social entity. Companies are increasingly accepting responsibilities that extend well beyond the immediate interest of shareholders for ethical reasons and for reasons of self interest. Among these latter: sustainability (it is in both society’s and the firm’s interests to sustain the ecosystem), reputation (CSR enhances the firm’s reputation with consumers and third parties); license to operate (firms need the approval and support of the constituencies on which they depend)

Internationalization
The course will frame strategic management in the broader context of modern firms' business environment that goes beyond national borders. This will contribute to develop potential international managers.

Connections with practice
The course will host alumni and managers that will help students to connect theory to practice.

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This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development