Course Lecturer Name(s): Dr. Shawn Best
Course Director Name: Dr. Shawn Best
Course Lecturer(s) Contact Information: 439-2000 ext. 3869
Course Lecturer(s) Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:30 AM to 12:30 AM
Course Lecturer(s) Office Location: Building C (Windward Hall)
Course Support: Mahalia Charles, mcharl11@sgu.edu, 3863
Course Management tool: To learn to use Sakai, the Course management tool, access the link https://apps.sgu.edu/members.nsf/mycoursesintro.pdf
Course Description:
This course introduces the process for strategic management and includes a simulation that enables students to put the theory into practice. Strategy development is a core competence for executives in today’s highly competitive environment. Creating a clear and implementable strategy for attaining objectives is an annual task in many firms. In small firms, a viable strategy may mean the difference between success and failure.
Course Objectives:
- This course aims to acquaint students with strategic management processes and techniques most critical to smooth functioning of any business of any size.
- This course also aims to equip students with the concepts and techniques necessary for organizations to do strategic management.
- Finally, this course aims to enhance the skills of students in business ethics, international management and international business.
Student Learning Outcomes:
On successfully completing this course, students should be able to:
- Articulate an opinion regarding the use of strategic management practices in workplace environments;
- Communicate verbally or in writing about topics related to strategic decision-making;
- Apply a working knowledge of strategic decision-making techniques in a variety of individual, social and workplace environments and scenarios;
- Implement appropriate strategic management decision-making techniques in real world situations
Program Outcomes Met By This Course:
ISLO-1: Students will be able to apply ethical skills to lead and manage in their respective business discipline.
ISLO-3: Students will be able to demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
ISLO-4: Students will be able to critically think, motivate and collaborate to solve business problems.
ISLO-7: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of legal, ethical, and global standards in the management domain.
SAS Grading Scale: Grades will be assigned as follows:
A = 89.5% or better
B+ = 84.5 - 89.4%
B = 79.5 - 84.4%
C+ = 74.5 - 79.4%
C = 69.5 - 74.4%
D = 64.5 - 69.4%
F = 65% or less
Course Materials:
Text: Strategic Management: A Competitive Advantage Approach (16th edition) by Fred R. David and Forest R. David (Pearson/Prentice Hall). Note: Other editions may be used by students, although case examples in the various editions may be different.
Supplementary Readings/Resources: Assigned articles and case studies (Posted on Sakai and handed out in class)
Course Grading Requirement:
The objectives of this course will be achieved by utilization of a combination of class lectures, in class videos, online videos to be watched from home, group activities, class discussion of case studies and homework. The performance of students will be assessed as follows:
- Homework assignments, in-class activities, and quizzes: 20%
- Midterm exam: 20%
- Case study analyses & team presentation: 20%
- Simulation Exercise: 20%
- Final Exam: 20%
Course Schedule:
This is the planned schedule of assignments and readings for the course. The instructor reserves the right to make changes as required to adapt to student needs or comprehension levels.
Week 1 |
Topics / Exercises |
Assignments |
Week 1 topic 1 |
The Nature of Strategic Management (Chp. 1) |
Get textbook, read ch. 1&2 Read simulation instructions, simulation slides and demo |
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What is Strategic Management, Key Terms, the Strategic Management Model |
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Week 2 |
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Week 2 topic 2 |
The Business Vison and Mission (Chp 2) |
Simulation begins In class exercise: What is Strategy? Homework: Read ch.1&2 |
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Vison and Mission Statements, Vision vs Mission, Benefits of Mission and Vision Statements, Characteristics of Mission |
In-class exercise on critique of vision and mission statements |
Week 3 |
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Week 3 topic 3 |
The External Assessment (Chp. 3) |
Read chapter 3 Individual Assignment 1 Mini-Case study w/CPM & 5 forces |
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External Audit (Industrial Organization view PESTEL Analysis |
Online Quiz on Chps. 1,2&3 |
Week 4 |
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Week 4 Topic 3 cont. |
The External Assessment (Chp. 3) |
EFE and CPM matrices Simulation performance update |
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Competitive Forces, Porter’s Five Forces |
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Week 5 |
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Week 5 Topic 4 |
The Internal Assessment (Chp 4) |
In-class exercise the use of financial ratios for analyzing financial performance. |
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The Internal Audit, Resource Based View, Assessing internal resources |
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Week 6 |
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Week 6 Topic 5 |
Strategies in Action (Chp. 5) |
Individual Assignment 1 Due |
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Long-term Objectives, Types of Strategies, Levels of Strategies Integration Strategies (Forward, Backward and Horizontal Integration), |
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Week 7 |
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Week 7 Topic 5 cont. |
Strategies in Action (Chp. 5) |
In-class quiz, exam preparation Simulation performance update |
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Intensive Strategies (Market Penetration, Market Development, Product Development) |
Video case on intensive strategies |
Week 8 |
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Week 8 |
Midterm Examination |
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Week 9 |
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Week 9 Topic 5 cont. |
Strategies in Action (Chp. 5) |
Read Chapter 7, Individual Assignment 3 Group Case Analysis |
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Diversification Strategies (Related and Unrelated Diversification), Defensive Strategies) Defensive Strategies (Retrenchment, Divestiture and Liquidation) |
Video case on defensive strategies |
Week 10 |
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Week 10 Topic 5 cont. |
Strategies in Action (Chp. 5)
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Group Case Analysis and presentations Due
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Porter’s Five Generic Strategies, Means of Achieving Strategies (Joint Ventures, Mergers &Acquisitions, Strategic Alliances, Outsourcing) |
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Week 11 |
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Week 11 Topic 6 |
Strategy Analysis and Choice |
Simulation performance update |
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Input Stage, Matching Stage and Decision Stage |
Online Quiz on Chps 5& 6 |
Week 12 |
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Week 12 Topic 7 |
Strategy Implementation (Chp 7) |
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Implementation issues affecting management and marketing |
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Week 13 |
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Week 13 Topic 8 |
Strategy Implementation (Chp 8) |
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Implementation issues affecting Finance & Accounting |
Online Quiz on Chps. 7, & 8 |
Week 14 |
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Week 14 Topic 9. |
Strategy Review, Evaluation and Control (Chp 9) |
Individual Assignment 2 Due |
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Nature of Strategy Evaluation |
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Week 15 |
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Strategy Review, Evaluation and Control (Chp 9) |
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Week 15 Topic 10. |
Business Ethics, Environmental Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Present & Review Simulation results |
In-class quiz, exam preparation Team Presentations for Simulation |
Week 16 |
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Week 16 |
Final Examination |
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School of Arts and Sciences Master Syllabi — Info for All Sections
Academic Integrity
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:
“Plagiarism is regarded as a cardinal offense in academia because it constitutes theft of the work of someone else, which is then purported as the original work of the plagiarist. Plagiarism draws into disrepute the credibility of the Institution, its faculty, and students; therefore, it is not tolerated” (p. 48).
Plagiarism also includes the unintentional copying or false accreditation of work, so double check your assignments BEFORE you hand them in.
Be sure to do good, honest work, credit your sources and reference accordingly and adhere to the University’s Honor Code. Plagiarism and cheating will be dealt with very seriously following the university’s policies on Plagiarism as outlined in the Student Manual.
Your work may be subject to submission to plagiarism detection software, submission to this system means that your work automatically becomes part of that database and can be compared with the work of your classmates.
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:
“Students are expected to attend all classes and or clinical rotations for which they have registered. Although attendance may not be recorded at every academic activity, attendance may be taken randomly. Students’ absence may adversely affect their academic status as specified in the grading policy. If absence from individual classes, examinations, and activities, or from the University itself is anticipated, or occurs spontaneously due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, proper notification procedures must be followed. A particular course may define additional policies regarding specific attendance or participation” (p. 9).
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:
“All matriculated students are expected to attend all assigned academic activities for each course currently registered. Medical excuses will be based on self-reporting by students. Students who feel they are too sick to take an examination or other required activity on a specific day must submit the online SAS medical excuse, which is available on Carenage. Students are only allowed two such excuses a year. Upon consultation with the Director of University Health Service, the third excuse will result in a mandatory medical leave of absence. The policies regarding make-up examinations are at the option of the Course Director” (p.46).
For additional specific examination policies and procedures, refer to the St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020), pages 31 through 37.
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:
“A student with a disability or disabling condition that affects one or more major life activities, who would like to request an accommodation, must submit a completed application form and supporting documentation to the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) located in the Dean of Students Office. It is highly recommended that students applying for accommodations do so at least one month before classes begin to allow for a more efficient and timely consideration of the request. If a fully completed application is not submitted in a timely fashion, an eligibility determination may not be made, and accommodations, where applicable, may not be granted prior to the commencement of classes and/or examinations” (p. 8).
It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and procedures that while they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllabus. These are contained in the St. George’s University Student Manual.