Summary

Why are some firms more successful than others? This is the fundamental question of strategy. A key concern of managers is the complex and uncertain relationship between the firm, its strategy, its performance and its environment. Study competition and strategy from the perspective of top managers.

Content

Keywords

Corporate strategy, business strategy, competitive advantage, firm performance.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Discuss key concepts, models and tools of strategy, in a business context.
• Apply a few basic indicators of firm performance.
• Synthesize firm level information and facts.
• Assess / Evaluate firm level corporate and business strategies of real firms.
• Make strategic recommendations for a real firm, to the top management of a company.

Transversal skills

• Identify the different roles that are involved in well-functioning teams and assume different roles, including leadership roles.
• Take feedback (critique) and respond in an appropriate manner.
• Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking

Teaching methods

Reading and discussion of key theoretical frameworks; group work: in and outside class; case discussions; guest lectures & discussions with company representatives.

Expected student activities

Attend all classes (2 waivers across entire course, per student)

Read material assigned for the course

Read and prepare case studies (individual)

Participate actively in class discussions and news presentations

Synthesize and teach/present a (business) case study (team work)

Complete a group project (team work)

Assessment methods

Continuous assessment combining:

40% team project

40% midterm exam

20% team case study presentation

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

No

Bibliography

Textbook: even though the course will not strictly follow the textbook noted below, the class will incorporate a lot of aspects from it. Hence, we strongly suggest you get a copy of this book and read the relevant chapter before each class. EPFL library should have some copies of this textbook, but you might want to get your own copy.

Textbook: Strategic Management, Frank Rothaermel, McGraw Hill Book Co.

Further class material will be through Moodle. Enrolment through Moodle is REQUIRED.

Please download all documents prior to each class and read as requested.