Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Course Description
Competitive Strategy examines how firms obtain and sustain competitive advantage through the
development and implementation of their strategies. The perspective is that of a top level executive
whose responsibility is the long-term health and survival of an entire organization or a major
business unit. The module is organized around the following themes: the strategic decision making
process and business strategy; external analysis (industry structure, positions in markets and value
chains, and competitor analysis); internal analysis (firms’ unique value-creating
resources/offerings); and identifying constraints on change and evolution processes.
The major objectives of this module include the development of 1) a general management
perspective: how to think strategically; 2) working knowledge of fundamental strategy concepts
and issues; and 3) basic skills for analyzing strategic issues facing your current/future organization.
This module will expose students to rigorous theoretical analysis of real world business practice.
Therefore, we will use a combination of lecturing, class discussion, videos, simulations, breakout
exercises, and case analyses. The module is recommended for participants pursuing careers
requiring the analysis and formulation of strategic directions for companies (general management,
business development, consulting), or the assessment of long-term profit opportunities within an
industry (e.g., investment banking, venture capital, private equity).
Mission Statement
The mission of the SKK Graduate School of Business (SKK GSB) is to advance business
knowledge in a multicultural learning environment in order to develop socially responsible
managers who will lead in a global organization.
Learning Goals
In accordance with SKK GSB’s educational mission and learning goals, this course will help you
develop the following:
Required Materials
There will be no required textbook for the module. Students can use the instructor’s slides and
their own class notes. Additionally, there will be a small course-pack comprising cases and other
material. When necessary, complementary materials will also be distributed in class.
Grading
The module grade will be calculated in the following way:
* Given the importance of active and individual in class participation, class attendance and active
participation are necessary for students’ success in this class.
Much managerial communication is verbal. Therefore, active and individual participation in class
discussions of lecture and case materials is required of each student. Students are expected to
communicate their ideas clearly and accurately in discussions. A class participation grade will be
assigned based on the instructor's evaluation of the student's contribution to the discussion based
on the following criteria:
Just looking good, attending classes, and participating very actively but silently in one’s own head
is not considered active participation! Don’t be surprised if you have a bad grade because you
never actively participated.
Note: I will randomly cold call on students and ask questions regarding the content of the assigned
articles or cases. Therefore, all students must be well prepared at all times.
Pre-Class Group Assignments
Unless otherwise specified: Pre-Class Group Assignments require each group to respond in writing
to study questions provided for each class (when applicable of course, see below. One assignment
per group). Text length should be between 1 to 2 pages long (single line spacing, 12 size Times
New Roman, default margins, all graphs, tables, and references (if any) at the end of the text). The
assignments should be submitted at least 24h before the beginning of class. Late assignments or
assignments not strictly respecting the format will not be accepted and will receive an automatic 0
grade. The assignment title should include: your group name or number – class assignment number.
Example: Group 2 – assignment for class 1.
Unless otherwise specified: this consists of a group research project in which you apply one or
more concepts/frameworks of the class to real life business. For instance (the following examples
are by no means exhaustive) you can: look up the current business news and analyze one given
topic using the frameworks from class and give suggestions on what the business leaders involved
in the problem should do, take your own company’s strategy and critique it, explain where you
would take your company strategically, etc. The aim of this assignment is to demonstrate your
critical thinking about business life, structure your thought process, and use the knowledge
acquired in class. You are free to choose any subject you feel comfortable with but it will need to
be approved by Session 7.
For this assignment you will: 1) write a text that is 4 to 5 page long (single line spacing, 12 size
Times New Roman, default margins, all graphs, tables, and references (if any) at the end of the
text) and 2) prepare a pptx presentation for class. Time allotted for each presentation will vary
depending on the size of the class. Report and slides will be due at the latest by 72h before class
time. More details about the group assignment will be provided throughout the class.
There will be an in class exam for which you will have to bring your laptop. All questions in the
final exam will be based on mandatory class materials and discussions only. The questions will
test whether students clearly understand the concepts/frameworks and know how to apply them to
various contexts. It is therefore very important to read all the materials before coming to class.
(Note: the professor reserves the right to modify the schedule and content)