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Air University

Faculty of Administrative Sciences Department of Business Administration


Course Title: Business Policy & Strategic Management Credit Hours: 3 Course Prerequisites Instructor Semester: Spring 2012 Class: BBA-8 Sections A & B Lab: Not Required All core courses of BBA program Prof Col (R) Manzoor Iqbal Awan integrated.consult@yahoo.com +92 321 850 0732

Primary Textbook: Dess, Gregory G., Lumpkin, G. T., & Taylor, Marilyn, Strategic Management: Creating Competitive Advantage, 2nd International Edition, The McGraw-Hill Companies Note: STUDENTS MUST POSSESS THE PRESCIBED TEXT BOOK. No dependence on handouts . Reference Books: 1) 2) 3) Pearce II, John A., Robinson Jr., Richard B., & Mital, Amita, Strategic Management: Formulation, Implementation and Control, 10th Edition, 2008, The McGraw-Hill Companies David, Fred R., Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases, 12th Edition, 2008 Thompson Jr., & Strickland Jr., A. J., Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases, 13th Edition

Purpose This is an advanced management course in strategic planning, policy formulation and implementation to develop an integrated organizational view by inter-relating the functional areas of finance, marketing production, personnel and the general business environment. Case studies will be used to shape class discussions on solving real- life strategic business issues and problems. Learning Objectives/Outcomes Upon completion of this course students will be able to: 1. Perform a rigorous analysis of a company's strategic direction. 2. Identify and explain a company's mission and vision statement and relate and critique these statements to the company's strategic direction. 3. Prepare a SWOT (strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats) analysis and explain and evaluate the relationship between the SWOT and a company's strategic direction. 4. Identify and explain all micro and macro forces that shape a company's strategic plan and determine performance. 5. Analyze and evaluate all the steps for the proper alignment of financial and nonfinancial resources within a company's strategic plan.

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6. Analyze a company's strategic plan in the context of the industry life cycle and environment in which it operates. 7. Analyze, evaluate, and draw conclusions on the effectiveness and performance of control and integration mechanisms. 8. Establish metrics to assess and measure strategic performance. 9. Analyze and evaluate the company's communication and feedback loop relative to company strategy and performance. 10. Analyze, evaluate, and draw conclusions on the financial performance relative to the company's strategic plan. 11. Analyze, evaluate, and identify risks and risk mitigation strategies appropriate to the company's strategic direction. 12. Analyze, evaluate, and develop strategies for a single or multi-business organization. 13. Assess, analyze, and recommend changes to company strategy based on a full analysis of a company's strategic plan. 14. Develop and prepare a strategic review document presented in a consistent form and properly documented. Study Methodology In consideration of the study stage/semester of the group and the professional development needs, the classes will be conducted in the form of discussions rather than wholesome lectures. This shall necessitate going through the prescribed readings/text/chapters before the classes. Class Contribution Purposes of class discussions, especially the ones as part of questions & answers after each presentation, are to encourage public speaking and to cover and elaborate on the given topics. Contribution accounts towards the final grade. Note that the word used is "contribution" not "participation," let alone "attendance." Class discussion provides an opportunity to develop oral communication skills, to present ideas concisely and persuasively, and to respond effectively to others comments. If, for some reason a student is not prepared, he/she should let me know before the start of class to save us both the embarrassment of my calling upon you. Being "right" or "wrong" should not be of much concern when contributing to class discussion. Every students point of view is important and if the class later reaches a consensus that differs from the viewpoint of a student that in no way diminishes the value of latters earlier comments. Every student also should strive to be a critical listener to his/her fellow students comments. If he/she disagrees with someones comments, he/she should speak up and explain how and why his/her viewpoint differs. Remember: Silly is only that idea/question which surfaces in ones mind but is not expressed/asked

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Individual Reflective Journal The purpose of the journal is to encourage students to be purposeful and reflective professionals. These journals are to provide students with a forum for making meaning of their experience in the classroom as well as the own time assignments/projects given as part of the course study. Students are expected to write at least one journal entry per class/assignment/quiz/project. Some entries will be prescribed; others will be freelanced. The journals will be shown during the 1st class in the 8th study week as part of midterm evaluation. The completed journals will finally be submitted during the 1st session in the 15th study week, which shall be graded based on quality and learning progression both theoretical and application as part of end of the semester evaluation. Individual Project (Research Paper & Oral Presentation) Each student will formulate strategic business plan for a large size national organisation. The organization will be allocated, preferably out of the 3 choices that will be submitted in order of priority through the CR by the 2nd class in the 2nd study week. Further details will follow. Team Project (Research Paper & Oral Presentation) Teamwork is designed to train students to work in teams to improve performance, and also enhance their presentation skills. 3-5 members, grouped together, will collaborate to prepare a team project; details later. Individual/Team Research Studies Compilation Compilation of soft copies of all studies (individual as well as group) will be treated as a class project, participated by all students, and will be lead by a 2- member student team that will issue appropriate instructions including those related to formatting (font, size, margins, line spacing, & page numbering etc) after soliciting my approval of the contents. All students and group leaders will be responsible for timely provision of the soft copies of their respective individual/group study papers on the announced pattern etc to the nominated lead team members. A high standard of deliverance is expected. Counselling Guidance through counselling helps to build confidence and to empower students by making them aware of their strengths as well as weaknesses, and designing a suitable path for actualizing the former while taking appropriate measures to overcome the latter. Two such sessions are tentatively planned; one in the 8th study week and the 2nd before end of the semester.

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Course Outline: Note: This outline is tentative; may be revised as needed.


Study Week(s) 1 -3 Course Material/Activity Course Introduction Strategic Analysis Strategic Management: Creating Competitive Advantage Analyzing External Environment of the Firm Assessing Internal Environment of the Firm Recognizing a Firms Intellectual Assets: Moving Beyond Tangible Resources Strategic Formulation Business-Level Strategy: Creating and Sustaining Competitive Advantage Corporate-Level Strategy: Creating Value through Differentiation International Strategy: Creating Value in Global Markets Digital Business Strategy: Leveraging Internet and E-Business Capabilities Individual Project Presentations Provisional Individual Counselling Strategic Implementation Strategic Control and Corporate Governance Creating Effective Organizational Design Strategic Leadership: Creating a Learning Organization and an Ethical Organization Managing Innovation and Fostering Corporate Entrepreneurship Recognizing Opportunities and Creating New Ventures Team Projects Team Project Presentations Recap and Individual Counselling Remarks/Required Reading Chapters 1 to 4

4 -6

Chapters 5 to 8

7-8 9 10-13

Sequence later

Midterm Examination
Chapters 9 to 13

14 15-16 17

Details later Sequence later

Grading and General Course Policies


The grading will be done as per policy of the university, However, the final grade for the course will be determined based on the total points accumulated in the below areas with weightage given against each: Final Examination - 40% Mid Term Examination - 30% Quiz/ Research Work/Presentations - 25% Class Contribution - 5%

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Notes:
1. The course will include the following: a. 6 quizzes/assignments. No retake will be allowed if a student misses a quiz. b. There will be 2/ 3 formal presentations by each student, emanating from student projects . For all such announced presentations, the entire class will abide by FORMAL dress code NO EXCEPTION. c. One guest speaker/seminar/visit to a practical situation. Deadlines of various class activities/assignments/projects/presentations must be met; neither there will be any reminders not requests for changes entertained. 5% marks will be deducted for not complying with the given deadlines. However, in case of delay exceeding 24 hours, the assignments will not be assessed.

2. 3.

Assignment 1 Personal Essay & SWOT


Part 1; Personal Essay Writing To cover your life thus far (family, childhood, schooling etc), passions/special interests, personal & professional objectives in life and the road map for achieving those, and any other aspect of value Minimum 2 word processed pages; Part 2; SWOT Analysis Candid, with how do you plan using your strengths and overcoming your weaknesses In tabular form Format; applicable to all assignments during the semester, including this one Font; Ariel or Times New Roman with size 12 and 1.5 line spacing. Personal Identification; comprising enrollment #, name, program, email ID & cell #. In the top right corner of the assignment as well as in the body of email. Email Subject; for proper identification and avoidance of misplacement as per following example:

S12-AU-BBA 8-A/B-Assignment 1 (Personal Essay & SWOT)-Individual Name


Submission: Soft copy (as a single file, with page break between the personal essay and the SWOT sent as attachment) at the email ID integrated.consult@yahoo.com, before 2nd class in the 2nd week; and Hard copy during that class.

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