Kent State University

College of Business Administration

 

Office:                                Office Hours: MW, 4:30-6 pm

Phone:                                and as arranged

E-mail: 

Catalog Description:  Integration of the functional areas of business in the formulation and implementation of policy.   Projects and case analyses of business situations provide students with the opportunity to apply analytical and creative problem solving skills.  3 cr.

 

Comment:  The catalog description is an accurate statement of the course and the learning environment. This will be accomplished both individually and via team participation.  Active student participation is critical.     

 

Text:  Carpenter and Sanders; Strategic Management; A Dynamic

          Approach, Pearson Prentice-Hall (2007)

 

         Additional readings will be assigned.

 

Grading (the course will have 1,000 points):

 

        Team oral case presentation                 300 

        Team written case exercises (4x60)       240

        Team critique of written cases (4x15)       60                          

        Individual critiques (4x 60)                   240          

        Class participation                                160

 

 

 

          Each team will present a case to the class.  The critique form provides a framework for proceeding.  The presentation will be approximately thirty to thirty-five minutes (give or take) in length.  Following the presentation, the presenting team will be asked to orally defend its position to questions raised by the class members and the instructor.  This “meet the press” session will account for twenty-five percent of the team’s presentation grade. 

 

          Prior to class the presenting team will submit a brief, written overview of its presentation plan and recommendations.  A copy of each Powerpoint (or overhead) should be attached.

 

          The basic guideline should be—you are employed by the organization featured in the case.  Your assignment is to prepare and persuasively support a recommendation to the top management team.

 

          Each team will prepare four papers to parallel the first five sections of the critique form.  This will be done employing the Wal-Mart case and will call for library and internet research.  This is a model building exercise for your team presentation.

 

          Each team will evaluate the four papers prepared by other teams.

Form will be provided.

           

 

During your career you will have the opportunity to evaluate strategic processes and proposals.  The critique portion of the course is designed to develop critical skills by reviewing presentations made by others.  When another team is presenting, your assignment will be to complete the critique form and give it to the instructor at the close of the class period.

 

          As it will be throughout your career, active, meaningful participation will be rewarded in this class.

A>  939 points               B+ 860-899             C+  760-789            D  600-699

A-  900-939                  B   820-859             C    730-759            F  <600

                                    B-  790-819           C-   700-729
CLASS SCHEDULE

 

 

 

Jun

 

11                Introduction, syllabus review, team setting exercise, strategy is?

 

 

13                Discuss Setting the Stage, set teams

 

18                Setting the Stage papers due, Discuss External Analysis

 

20                External Analysis due, Discuss Internal Analysis

                 

25                Internal Analysis papers due, Discuss Basic Issues and Alternative

                    Strategies

 

27                Basic Issues and Alternative Strategies due, discuss implementation,

                    presentation prep, Team 1

 

July

 

2                  Presentations—defense of your final Wal-Mart strategy, discussion of

                    conglomerates, final presentation by Team 1; presentation prep by

                    teams 2-4

 

9                  Final presentations, Teams 2-4; presentation prep, Teams 5-8

                  

11                Final presentations, Teams 5-8