The focus of the course lies on strategy formulation and leadership psychology. Regarding the strategic management part of the course the key areas are business strategy as well as corporate strategy. The course further explores the tools and concepts of diversification, vertical integration, acquisitions, alliances and global strategy. Eventually, the important area of strategy implementation is discussed. Regarding the leadership part the course focuses on leading for change and innovation as well as on strategic leadership in organizations.

Students who have passed this course successfully are able to:

• explain the nature and purpose of strategic management 
• describe the two generic business strategies and understand their differences
• discuss potential implications of diversification and vertical integration on firm performance
• explain the main differences between acquisitions and alliances
• identify drivers that shape global strategies 
• name and describe forces which influence firms' ability to compete in a global market
• explain the most important factors of successful strategy implementation
• understand the psychological process involved in making major changes
• understand how to develop an appealing vision for the organization
• understand how top executives can influence organizational processes and performance

Apart from these skills, students further develop their social skill-set through demanding group assignments. By the end of the course, students are able to systematically solve in-depth case studies and provide solutions to strategic problems and assess their impact on firm performance.    

Attendance in all online live block-sessions is required! Please inform the instructor about any absence prior to the session.  The last two hour session in the schedule constitutes the final exam.

This course is an online course. As this is a highly interactive class, it is important that you are well prepared and present for all sessions! Our high regard for active participation necessitates visibility in our online classes. Hence, non-usage of video during these sessions will not be recognized as attendance, thereby equating to an absence for the respective session.

The course Advanced Strategic Management involves different teaching methods including in-class discussions, case studies, reading assignments, group assignments and oral presentations. The content and structure of the course covers the most important aspects of modern international strategic management and is closely tied to the following two books (see below for details):

- "Strategic Management" by Frank T. Rothaermel

- “Leadership in Organizations” by Gary Yukl and William L. Gardner

The course is designed as an online course that has live-sessions and asynchronous sessions.

Live sessions have mandatory attendance and require active participation. The asynchronous sessions are for self-study purposes and can be used for group work.

The following grading criteria apply:

• Individual in-class participation: 5%
• Peer review: 5%
• Case study (individual): 20%
• Case study (group assignment): 20%
• Final exam: 50%

For WU incoming exchange students (including ECOL & ENGAGE.eu students) and WU degree seeking students (free elective).

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