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
• Simulations
• Group work

Attendance and Participation: 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. Students that do not meet an 80% attendance record will be automatically unenrolled from the course.

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.

Individual Assignment (15%): Students are to submit a short feedback report on the feasibility of a group's start-up idea. The assignment is meant to give students an opportunity to develop their critical and analytical skills, as well as develop their ability to provide constructive and developmental feedback.

Final Group Report (20%) and Final Presentation (10%): The final project reports on the status and future outlook of the start-up company. Students are expected to further refine their company's structures, management practices, and strategies based on the feedback provided by their peers and the instructor. A part of the final report will be dedicated to designing a small research study to investigate a real-world problem or challenge that is facing the industry in which the company operates. This latter part of the report is meant to provide students with insights into how theory connects to practice and empirics. 

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