BMGT44060 Global & Corp. Strategy - EMBA

Academic Year 2022/2023

This is the second course in the Strategy sequence on the MBA programme and continues to emphasize analytical and synthetic reasoning in approach. In particular, the course reviews sustainability of advantage, global strategy, corporate expansion strategies and the management of diverse business operations. An analytical approach is taken to the discussion of cases.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

• Further enhance strategic thinking and analysis skills;
• Critically evaluate the appropriateness of a firm’s competitive, international, and corporate strategy with logical arguments and relevant terminology;
• Develop an appreciation of the principal ways firms can create value from cross-border activities;
• Develop an understanding of how firms create value from location choices and the sharing and transfer of knowledge and resources across borders;
• Evaluate the relationship between diversification, risk, and firm performance;
• Enhance participants’ abilities to evaluate M&A activity;
• Develop an understanding of the main analytical techniques and conceptual frameworks to manage diversified firms;
• Critically evaluate the unique requirements of strategy in a digital context, one in which platforms can dominate products;
• Critically appreciate the role of strategic leaders in multinational corporations.

Indicative Module Content:

The module is split into two major thrusts. The first thrust is global strategy, which will include coverage of the value-added of international strategies, location-based advantage, alternative global positioning strategies, strategy in emerging markets, and innovation in multinational corporations. We will also examine platform strategies and their role in emerging markets. The second major thrust will be corporate strategy, with particular focus on vertical and horizontal diversification and related M&A activity. Then, we will look at how diversified companies, such as Danaher and General Electric are managed.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

28
Small Group

1
Autonomous Student Learning

97
Total

126
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The priority for every session is to read and prepare the case and then any assigned reading material. You should have a detailed knowledge of the case and an appreciation of the chapter content.

Pre-class: For best preparation, you should read the chapter and any other assigned article material. You should then read the case, twice. The first time, completing some analysis, and the second time trying to identify some key themes that emerge and preparing your likely contributions to the discussion. The assigned text material and reading is keyed to the cases so that the cases illustrate theory or concepts developed in the text materials. I would strongly encourage some discussion of the case analysis within your groups before the sessions, making full use of the digital technologies at your disposal. This discussion will surface different perspectives on the material and facilitate testing of your ideas. Participants are encouraged to apply materials and concepts learned in other courses to the class discussion. Your group is also expected to make a written submission on a question before the class sessions

A good procedure to prepare a case is as follows:
1. First, read the case quickly by yourself, to get an overview and understand the company, industry, and exhibits
2. Next, read the case carefully, using the preparatory questions to guide your comprehension. These questions are designed to highlight salient portions of the case and make you do needed analysis.
3. Make a sheet of notes with your suggested solution (or alternative solutions) to refer to if you are asked to open the case discussion
4. Before class, meet with your study group and discuss the case with them. Chances are, you will find that your preferred solution is but one of many – and that it might require adjustment
5. Based on your discussion, work on the assignment.

A word of caution, while I have no intention of micro-managing the writing of the reports, a system in which one person alone writes the report each week on a rotational is not conducive to superior performance.

Class-time: The course, particularly the cases, will involve interactive discussion. I will cold-call, warm-call and open-call participants. Cold-calling will be used to ensure preparation and to maintain an even-level of participation. Participation in the class requires that mobile-devices are turned off for the duration of the class. Contemporaneous note taking on a computer is allowed, however all other applications are prohibited. These restrictions are applied because they can be distracting to me and to other students.

After-class: Prior to the subsequent session, I will provide a summary of our case discussion and also highlight some additional readings that will provide deeper insight into the concepts discussed. (These additional readings can be classified as Further Reading). In addition, I would encourage you to discuss the class in your groups for about 10-20 minutes to reflect on the discussion and analysis.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: Final examination (online) 2 hour End of Trimester Exam Yes Graded No

50
Continuous Assessment: Class Participation Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Group Project: Weekly case assignments Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Ms Ros Beere Lecturer / Co-Lecturer