DISTANCE-LEARNING FORMAT

The classes will be held virtually on MS Teams during the scheduled dates/times listed in the syllabus on Learn@WU.

Each module contains a content component, interactive discussions, and group work. To maintain the ‘classroom’ atmosphere, students are asked to keep video on – while muting microphones during the content part of the modules. Make sure that you are signed into MS Teams via the University server to ensure that you have full access to all the functions.  

Group Work: Each student will be assigned to an MS Teams Group to facilitate coordination and ensure diversity in composition. These will be the groups for the whole course.

Given the potential challenges of virtually coordinating group work, it is strongly encouraged that groups delegate responsibilities for the following:

• Assign a Team Leader – this group member will be responsible for communicating with the Instructor on behalf of the group, and for submitting all group assignments.
• Recording Minutes of Meetings – this will help keep track of each member’s contributions, what was discussed and agreed upon during each meeting, and what the assigned tasks and due dates are for each member.
• Scheduling meetings and ensuring that each member has completed the necessary tasks in preparation for each meeting.
• Finalizing and proofreading the assignments before submission.

The course provides theoretical and practical knowledge for students broadly interested in organizational strategy and design. The course comprises four theory and content modules designed to expose students to how managers develop, evaluate and execute an organization’s strategies in the face of diverse opportunities and challenges. The topics covered in this course include: understanding strategic management, evaluating the market for opportunities and threats, enhancing firm performance and competitive advantage, and developing effective strategies for managing and growing a business.

• Understand the challenges involved in navigating today’s complex and integrated business environment – such as how to respond to industry, market, competitor, and customer factors that influence strategy and organizational design
• Develop an understanding of how to analyze and respond to internal and external change pressures
• Enhance practical analytical and communication skills
• Enhance leadership and team-building capabilities

Attendance is a firm requirement of this course as many of the learning experiences take place during class and through interactions with peers. Students should come to each class prepared to discuss the assigned readings, and to actively participate in class assignments, activities, and group work. Students are asked to be respectful of the classroom environment and the time of the instructor and students. Surfing the Internet, text messaging, and other similar disruptions to the class will have an impact on the participation component of your grade.

Students must be present for at least 80% of the scheduled sessions. Students who fail to meet the attendance requirement will be de-registered from the course.

• Content component - traditional lecture format
• Interactive discussions and activities
• Videos
• Case studies
• Group work

Attendance and Participation (15%): Active engagement in class discussions and activities is a critical part of the learning experience in the course. The course is purposefully designed to be interactive, so students must come prepared to discuss the assigned readings.

Group Assignments (30%): There are two cumulative assignments – with each building upon the previous one. The assignments are designed around a start-up company and the challenges of change. Students are expected to apply the knowledge and concepts learned in each module and to be prepared to field questions from the instructor and their peers.

Final Group Report (20%) and Final Presentation (10%): The purpose of the final project is to provide first-hand experience of what it is like to conduct research, and how theory interacts with real world problems and challenges. Students should gain a deeper understanding of: how to identify and articulate a research question and explain its importance; develop a clear and concise line of research; and gain tacit knowledge of what it is like to be part of a research team. 

Individual contribution (25%): The individual component of the evaluation will be based on your group members’ evaluations of your contribution to group work.