Syllabus

Title
0961 Strategic Management
Instructors
Univ.Prof. Dr. Martin Kornberger
Contact details
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/12/22 to 09/15/22
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
This class is only offered in winter semesters.
Subject(s) Master Programs
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Thursday 10/06/22 08:30 AM - 01:30 PM D2.0.374
Monday 10/17/22 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM TC.4.05
Friday 11/11/22 11:30 AM - 04:30 PM D2.0.374
Thursday 11/24/22 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM TC.4.15
Wednesday 12/14/22 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM D2.0.374
Tuesday 01/17/23 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM D2.0.374
Contents

This course explores the theory and practice of strategic management. The course focuses on core concepts of strategy, why strategy is an important concept in organizational life, how strategy is accomplished in practice, and it discusses its (unintended) consequences critically. The course deepens students’ understanding of the key ideas of strategy whilst touching upon themes of organization, leadership, culture and other key concepts of the master programme. Understanding the “how” and “what” of strategy includes (but is not limited to) an intensive discussion of the following questions:

  • What are the key theories and concepts of strategy and how did they evolve over time?
  • How is strategy made in practice?
  • Which technologies and tools contribute to an effective strategy process?
  • What is the hallmark of an effective strategy?
  • How to engage diverse stakeholders, in open strategy processes?
  • How to leverage strategy for internal cultural change processes?
  • How are politics and power entangled in the strategy process and how to manage them?
  • How can strategy facilitate leadership?
Learning outcomes

By engaging with this case and this course, students will:

  • Build analytical understanding of how strategy works in practice
  • Develop awareness of organizational, cultural, and political dimensions of strategy and its making   
  • Understand how to create impactful strategies
  • Identify and assess the unintended consequences and paradoxes of strategy  
  • Be able to critically reflect on strategic leadership
  • Develop social and communication skills through group case work and presentations
Attendance requirements

Continuous assessment courses (PI) are high-interactive courses. 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 activities and discussion. Students are asked to be respectful of the classroom environment and the time of the instructor and other 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. According to WU regulations, valid reasons for missing scheduled sessions are those outside the control of the student (illness, accident, death of a close relative). Professional and work obligations are not valid reasons, as students have the course schedule in advance and should be able to plan accordingly.

Teaching/learning method(s)

Based on theory inputs the course focuses on understanding and utilizing strategy in practice. Participants will work with case studies and discuss in groups how to translate and apply learnings into organisational contexts. Thinking out loud (text-based reflection, discussion etc.) will alternate with working out loud (case work, presentation etc) with the aim to design an intellectually challenging and practically useful learning experience.

Assessment

100% = 100 points; minimum requirement > 60 points
The final grade of the course will depend on three elements:

 

Element 1: 40% Mid-term strategic case analysis (individual assessment)

  • After Session 3 you will write a strategic analysis of a case study (max 1,000 words). You should use two of the four perspectives that we will discuss in session 1, 2, 3 and 4.
  • Marking criteria: Use of perspectives and analytical rigour (40%); mobilization of case study and fit between theory and case (40%); criticality, argumentation and form (20%)

 

Element 2: 40% Group presentation in final session on a strategic analysis of a live case study (group assessment)

  • In groups you should identify an organization and analyse its strategy. You should study available documentation (reports, newspaper articles, websites etc) of the case organization. Additionally, you should conduct 3-5 interviews with strategists working in the case study organization. The analysis should use perspectives discussed in class to make sense of the case. It should also contain a critical assessment of the status quo and recommendations how to improve the strategy process. You will present your analysis in the last session (15 minutes, 10 slides max).
  • Marking criteria: Use of perspectives and analytical rigour (30%); case study and empirical depth (30%); criticality and recommendations (30%); argumentation and form (10%)

 

Element 3: 20% Individual reflection paper on group presentation (individual assessment)

  • After Session 3 you should write a critical reflection paper that highlights what you learnt from the case study, the presentation and the feedback you received. Your critical reflection paper should be no longer than 500 words. In terms of structure the paper might outline (1) your learnings and (2) possibilities to improve the work presented in your group.   
  • Marking criteria: Criticality of reflection (40%); creativity to improve case work (40%); argumentation and form (20%)
Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists

Successful completion of the course "Introduction to Management"

This course builds on the knowledge content of the bachelor's degree. It has a dedicated scientific character and ties in with the current state of scientific research.

Readings

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Availability of lecturer(s)

Institute for Ethics in Management

by e-mail: Martin Kornberger

Last edited: 2022-08-19



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