COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title/Number: Business Policy/MGMT 498-A CRN: 10304
Term: Fall
2005: Day
Instructor: Jim Rhodes
Meeting Times: Monday/Wednesday
1:00-2:15 pm – Buckman 208
Office Location: BU-317
Phone Numbers: (901)
321-3314 (office)
(901)
321-3566 (FAX)
(901)
755-2133 (home)
E-Mail: jtrhodes@cbu.edu
Office Hours: Monday
& Wednesday: 10:00 am –1:00 pm;
other times available by arrangement
Catalogue
Description: This course will consist
of a series of lectures and practice exercises in research methods and case
analysis. The study of corporate and
business level policy and strategy making is developed using a top management
perspective. The course will use a team
format for the majority of the work. Each
member of the class will help in the preparation of an industry analysis
project and paper. In-class assignments
will be used for discussion and evaluation.
In addition, a business simulation game will be used to integrate theory
and practice.
Prerequisites: MKTG
311, MGMT 337, FIN 327 and senior standing
Texts: Foundations
in Strategic Management, Harrison and
Capstone Business Simulation; Version 2005, Management
Simulations, Inc. To be purchased
on-line – Sim ID: C12363.
Course
Objectives: Specific outcomes
include:
·
Developing the
ability to think strategically (involves identification and analysis of
critical issues and dealing with ambiguity) about a company, its competitive
position, and how it can gain a sustainable competitive advantage.
·
Building skills
in conducting strategic analysis in a variety of industries and competitive
situations, including the competitive challenges of the global market
environment.
·
Providing
hands-on experience in crafting corporate and business strategy, reasoning
carefully about strategic options, using what-if analysis to evaluate
alternatives, and initiating the changes necessary to keep the strategy
responsive to newly emerging market conditions.
MGMT 498 - Page 2
·
Broadening one's
perception of issues and problems in organizations, which
involves moving beyond a narrow, functional focus and adopting a total organization
perspective. The integration of
knowledge gained in earlier business courses is essential in considering an
organization as a comprehensive unit, operating within a constantly changing,
complex, global environment.
·
Applying oral and
written communication skills, both individually and in group settings, to all
class activities. This involves taking
and defending a position, as well as assessing and critiquing others'
proposals.
Educational
Philosophy: It is my belief that the
educational experience should be a combination of academic challenges with the
moral and ethical beliefs embodied in the Christian Brothers culture. I believe that it is the responsibility of
the instructor to provide an environment in which the student may prepare for
their professional careers and life, which includes community involvement. To achieve this, I believe that learning is
the result of classroom interaction, individual study and research, and group
involvement. To this end, class
assignments reflect this philosophy.
Americans with
Disabilities
Act: If you need course adaptations or
accommodation because of a disability, if you have medical information to share
with your instructor, or if you need special arrangements in case the building
must be evacuated, please make an appointment with your instructor and with
Student Affairs as soon as possible.
Course Methods: MGMT 498
incorporates the following pedagogical techniques:
Lecture/discussion of assigned text material, case
analysis, exams, and a computer simulation project.
Course
Perspectives: Global Issues:
Students are expected to integrate global issues in their studies and
demonstrate a clear understanding of cross border differences, problems, and
opportunities.
Political,
Legal and Regulatory Issues: Students
are expected to understand and integrate political, legal and regulatory issues
into their projects.
Technological
Issues: Students are expected to
integrate the technological skills learned in other courses in their final
project.
Environmental
Issues: Students are expected to
incorporate such social considerations in their course projects.
Diversity
Issues: Students are expected to
consider the impact of diversity on organizational design and strategic
planning.
MGMT 498 - Page 3
Student Assignments:
Exams – 35%: There
will be two exams as shown below:
Exam
#1 (25%): This exam will cover any
and/or all material from the text readings,
handouts, and class lectures. The exam will consist of multiple choice and short discussion or
essay questions.
Exam
#2 (10%): This exam will cover the
material covered in preparation for
the simulation game. This will be a
multiple- choice exam.
Team
Industry Analysis Paper
&
Oral Report – 25%: Each team will be required
to prepare a comprehensive industry analysis paper. Teams will be
required to choose their industry during the sixth week of classes. Papers must be professionally prepared.
Industry
papers should contain the following sections:
Part
One: This part focuses on the industry
as a whole.
1.
History of the industry.
2.
Overview of the current industry and market conditions.
3.
Dominant Economic Characteristics of the industry.
4.
Five-Forces evaluation.
5.
Analysis of the industry’s Driving Forces.
6.
Strategic Group Map of the industry.
7.
Key Success Factors (KSF’s) in the industry.
8.
Summary of the industry prospects and overall attractiveness.
Part
Two: This part focuses on individual
companies in the industry.
A Competitive Analysis and Strategic Comparison of at least three
of the key competitors in the industry.
This section will include:
a. A brief summary of each company – both
financially and strategically.
b. A comparison of these companies
based on their outcomes as defined by their financial positions, the key success
factors as identified in #7 above, and their strategic positions in the
industry.
In-class
presentations should be formally prepared, include all team members, and last
approximately 20-30 minutes. Dates for
presentations are shown in the Class Calendar.
Note:
Choose your industry carefully. Be sure
to pick an industry that has publicly traded companies so that data is
available. Data bases are available at
the library for research. All research
sources should be listed in a bibliography.
Business
Simulation - 40%: Each team will serve as the
management team for a company serving in a simulated industry that produces
electronic sensors. There will be
exercises that will need to done individually and there will be decisions that
will be done as a team; therefore, student evaluations will be based on both
individual and team activities. Team
members will be required to complete peer evaluations during the playing of the
game.
Note:
Any team member not pulling their weight will be “fired” (removed from their
team and receive a zero for their simulation grade).
MGMT 498 -
Page 4
A
list of the simulation activities is listed below: IN indicates
an individual assignment; TM indicates
a team assignment.
Sim
ID: C12363 You will need a credit card, check
card, or check to complete this.
The
following can all be accessed from the student’s Welcome Page, except items
VIII and X.
II.
IN - Complete the following:
A. Introductory Lessons 1 and 2
B. Advanced HR Modual Tutorial
C. Advanced TQM Modual Turorial
D. Advanced Marketing Tutorial
III. IN - Download
Capstone XLS (under Making Decisions).
IV. IN - Print
a copy of the Capstone Courier for Round 0 (under Reports).
V. TM - Completion of the Situation
Analysis exercise in Chapter 4 – (class time will be used for the completion of
this exercise).
VI.
IN - Complete at least two rounds of
the Solo Rehearsal Simulation – dates shown in the Class Calendar.
VII.
IN – Complete all Tutorials and
Demonstrations, especially the Advanced Modules and Spreadsheet
Demonstrations (under Resource Material).
VIII.
TM - Completion of all simulation
decisions in a timely manner (as defined by the instructor in the Class
Calendar) for both practice and actual rounds.
IX. IN - Peer
Evaluations (under Homework on the student’s Welcome page – dates and
times in the Class Calendar).
X. TM - Preparation
of a Team Notebook containing the following:
A. Management
structure and assignments for each team member.
B.
A mission statement.
C.
A strategic plan for your company which will include:
1. Overall general strategy – any revisions during the
playing of the game should be noted.
2. Tactical plans for: any revisions during the
playing of the game should be noted.
a. Marketing
b. Production
& TQM
c. Finance
d. R & D
e. Human
Resources
d.
Printouts of team Financial Reports and Round Analysis Reports for
each round.
MGMT 498 - Page 5
Grade Scale: A 92% and up
B 84% up to 92%
C 76% up to 84%
D 68% up to 76%
F Less than 68%
Tentative Class Calendar:
Wed Aug 24 Introduction
and course preview
Mon Aug 29 Chapter
1: The Strategic Management Process
Wed Aug 31 Chapter
2: The External Environment
Mon Sept 5 Labor Day Holiday
Wed Sept 7 Chapter
2: continued
Simulation: Form Teams
Mon Sept 12 Chapter
3: The Internal Environment and Strategic Direction
Wed Sept 14 Chapter
3: continued
Simulation: All students must be registered for Simulation Game
Mon Sept 19 Chapter
4: Business Strategy
Wed Sept 21 Chapter
4: continued
Simulation: Student Introduction Slideshow
Mon Sept 26 Chapter
5: Corporate Strategy
Simulation: Students should begin the Lessons, Tutorials, and
Demonstrations
Wed Sept 28 Chapter
5: continued
Note: Teams must turn in the name of the industry and the
companies within the industry that they will be analyzing.
Mon Oct 3 Chapter
6: Strategy Implementation
Wed Oct 5 Chapter 7: Strategic
Control and Restructuring
Mon Oct 10 Chapter
8: Strategies in an International Context
Wed Oct 12 Review
for Exam
Simulation: Download of Capstone XLS must be completed
Mon Oct 17 Fall Break
Wed Oct 19 Fall Break
Mon Oct 24 Exam #1: Strategic Management Exam
Wed Oct 26 Simulation: Situation Analysis exercise
in Chapter 4 of Team Member Guide
Note: You must bring a copy of the Capstone Courier for
Round 0 with you.
Mon Oct 31 Simulation: Situation Analysis exercise
in Chapter 4 of Team Member Guide
Wed Nov 2 Simulation: Team Meetings – Practice
Round Scenarios handed out
Note: Solo Rehearsal Simulation must be completed.
Mon Nov 7 Simulation: Practice Year 1
Note: All Tutorial and Demonstrations must be completed.
Wed Nov 9 Exam #2: Simulation Game Exam
Simulation: Practice Year 2
Mon Nov 14 Simulation: Year 1
Wed Nov 16 Simulation: Year 2
Simulation: Peer Evaluations #1 are due
Mon Nov 21 Simulation: Year 3
Wed Nov 23 Simulation: Year 4
Mon Nov 28 Simulation: Year 5
Wed Nov 30 Simulation: Year 6
Mon Dec 5 Simulation: Year 7
Team Industry Analysis Papers & Presentations are Due – Teams ?
Wed Dec 7 Simulation: Year 8
Simulation: Peer Evaluations #2 are due
Team Industry Analysis Papers & Presentations are Due – Teams ?
Mon Dec 12 Simulation: Simulation Notebooks are due
in my office by 2:00 pm