Strategic Management: Decision Making MGT 703
TR 11:10-12:30
McConnell 212
Professor Michael Merenda Fall 1997
Conferences:
I am anxious to meet with you outside class to discuss any concerns or questions you may have pertaining to the course or other areas where you think I may be of assistance. I will be available to meet with you at any mutually agreeable time.
Required Readings:
(1) Hunger, J. D. and Wheelen, T.L., Strategic Management, 5th edition, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 1996. (W&H)
(2) Henshaw, R. C. and Jackson, J. R., The Executive Game, 5th edition, Irwin, 1990. (XGame)
(3) Harvard Business School cases. HBS cases can be purchased in Department of Management Office, McConnell 444.
(4) Reading packet can be purchased at McConnell Copy Center (RP).
(5) Fortune (strongly recommended)
Purpose of Course:
A course in Strategic Management or its equivalent is required of all students graduating from major schools of business in the United States. Stated simply, it is designed to integrate the material to which students have been exposed in their courses in the business curriculum, to show their interrelationships and to demonstrate the manner in which each makes its contributions to the total organization. The viewpoint of the strategist is always from the top of the managerial hierarchy and the time perspective is always the future. It is this point of view that strategy students are expected to take. With this in mind, the major objectives of this course are as follows:
1. To acquaint the student of business with the viewpoint of top managers and their role in determining, forming and managing the strategy process.
2. To give the student exposure to the major issues, problems, challenges, frustrations and realities involved with the formulation and implementation of organizational policy and strategy.
3. To help the student integrate his/her analytical talents and knowledge obtained in the various functional courses of a business curriculum as well as other endeavors, into the larger view of the total overall organization.
4. To allow the student to sharpen his/her communicative skills and abilities both on a verbal and written basis.
5. To allow the student to interact with others in arriving at important strategic decisions, thus developing an appreciation for group decision-making and the variety of relationships that may evolve during the decision-making process.
6. To allow the student the opportunity to explore and investigate, from a strategic perspective, a potential position of future importance to her or his professional career.
7. To allow the student the opportunity to make mistakes now where the risks are minimal and the learning experience is greatest.
Course Rules:
All students are expected to attend class regularly (even as each would be required by an employer), to contribute to class discussion, and to submit written work in finished form by the date due. (NO EXCEPTIONS) - late papers will lose one full grade for each day it is late.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated and whenever detected will be sufficient grounds for a failing grade in the course. In reports please use footnotes, references and quotation marks where appropriate.
The instructor reserves the right to give unannounced quizzes and to substitute cases, or assignments at any time during the semester.
Ground Rules for:
Class participation: This will be based on the quality and quantity of a student's contribution to classroom discussion and projects. The key to success in class discussions is careful preparation of the reading materials -- especially cases -- that have been assigned. The hallmark of case preparation is written notes. If you have to slip through the pages of a case during class, it is an almost sure indication that you have not done adequate preparation. You should always be prepared to open the discussion. So if you have been unable to prepare the material, please tell me before I begin the discussion. Class attendance is required.
If you are unable to attend a class meeting, please let me know in advance. Students will be allowed two absences before class participation grade is adversely affected.