ERA BUSINESS SCHOOL

Session Plan
2013-15
Trimester 5
Paper: Business Policy and Strategy
Instructor: HITESH MANOCHA
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course aims to make the students appreciate the various dimensions of
business strategy. To survive in a competitive market, organizations need to carry
out long-term planning. The course aims to make the students understand the
various aspects of business strategy.
TEXT BOOK
Strategic Management by Pearce and Robinson, 12th edition, Tata McGraw
Hill (SM)
PEDAGOGY
This will entail a combination of lectures,
discussions/presentations and written examinations.
EVALUATION
Presentations: 15 %
Mid-term/Viva: 20%
Class participation: 10%
Assignments: 15 %
End term examination: 40%

assignments,

case

Assessment Rationale: Working on assignments improve interpersonal and team

building skills. Working on presentations enhances oral communication and public
speaking skills. Class participation enhances listening and analytical skills.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course the learning outcomes are:
Understanding the concept and levels of strategy.
Techniques to analyze competition, industry.
Formulation of various strategies and challenges in carrying out
implementation.
Other Reference Textbook
Strategic Management and Business policy by Azhar Kazmi, Tata McGraw Hill, 3rd
edition
Session wise details
Session 1 and 2
Topic:
Introduction to strategic management
Ref: SM Chapter 1
Learning objectives: Understand the concept of strategy,
strategic management, scope and levels of strategic planning.
Appreciate the importance of strategic planning as a process.
Session 3
Topic:
Understanding Mission
Ref: SM Chapter 2
Learning objectives: Understand the relevance of writing
mission, vision and objectives of an organization. Analyze the
factors which are taken into consideration in writing such
statements. Discuss the role of board of directors.

Session 4 and 5
Topic
Management Audit
Ref: SM Chapter 4 & 6
Learning objectives: Understand the concept and scope of
audit. Understand the role of environment and how it influences
the strategy building process. Also understand the role of SWOT
analysis and concepts of competitive advantage in building
strategy. Appreciate the role of value chain and resource analysis
in strategy building approach.
Session 6 and 7
Topic
Analysis of competition
Ref: SM Chapter 4
Learning objectives: Understand the various techniques of
analyzing competition. Appreciate the levels of competition and
appreciate the concept of competitive equilibrium.
Session 8
Topic
Presentations/case discussions
Case: Facebook versus Twitter
Session 9
Topic
Presentations/case discussions
Case: Microsoft defends its empire

Session 10, 11 and 12

Strategy Formulation
Ref: SM Chapter 8 and 9
Learning objectives: Understand the role of portfolio
management techniques. Appreciate the various business
strategies which can be deployed by an organization. Analyze the
role of market position on strategy
Session 13
Topic
Presentations/case discussions
Case: McDonalds and its critics.
Session 14
Presentations/case discussions
Case: Gati Ltd
Session 15
Presentations/case discussions
Case: Southwest Airlines
Session 16 and 17
Long-term objectives and strategies
Ref: SM Chapter 7
Learning objectives: Appreciate the concept and importance of
long-term objectives. Understand the various strategies which are
used to achieve these long-term objectives
Session 18
Presentations/case discussions

Case: Flipkart an Infosys in making

Session 19
Topic
Strategy Implementation and role of functional strategies
Ref: SM Chapter 10
Learning objectives: Appreciate the role of short-term
objectives and policies in implementation of strategies.
Appreciate the linkages of functional strategies with business
strategies. Understand the role of functional strategies in strategy
implementation.
Session 20
Presentations/case discussions
Case: Strategic leadership and innovation at Apple
.