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Canyon College

online Strategy and Business Policy course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: STRATEGY AND BUSINESS POLICY

Course Title:
Department:
Instructor:
Phone: 		BU585 -- Strategy and Business Policy
Business
John Anderson MS, BS Contact - Vita
(402)933-9727


Textbooks: Online Bookstore

Hunger, David J. and Wheelen, Thomas L. (1999) Strategic Management (7th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
ISBN #: 0130872962

Hunger, David J. and Wheelen, Thomas L. (1999) Cases in Strategic Management (7th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall ISBN #: 0130872946

Optional:
Interviews with CEO’s: Harvard Business Review (ISBN #: 1578513294)

Albert J. Dunlap, Mean Business, How I Save Bad Companies and Make Good Companies Great (ISBN #: 0684844060)

Control Your Destiny or Someone Else Will: Lesson’s in Mastering Change—The Principles Jack Welch Is Using to Revolutionize General Electric. (ISBN #: 0887306705)

Course Mission:
This course will spotlight the issue of running a business enterprise. It will introduce the student to: What managers must do and do well to make a company a winner in the game of business. Strategy and Business Policy cuts across the whole spectrum of business and management which focuses on the corporation as a whole and its interactions with its environment. The corporate world is in the process of global transformation and everyday brings new change and direction for managers regarding; acquisitions, outsourcing, downsizing, and strategic alliances. This course will give you the panoramic view of the changing corporate terrain and will show how large and small firms can be more effective and efficient both in today and tomorrow’s arena of business. Upon completion of this course you’ll learn to tell the difference between winning strategies and mediocre strategies, and become more skilled in spotting ways to improve a company’s strategy and execution.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
  1. Develop and understanding of strategic management concepts, research, and theories.
  2. Develop framework of analysis to enable a student to identify central issues and problems in complex, comprehensive cases; to suggest alternative courses of action; and to present well-supported recommendations for future action
  3. Develop conceptual skills so that a student is able to integrate previously learned aspects of corporations.
  4. Develop and understanding of the emerging global economy and its potential impact on business activities in any location.
  5. Develop an understanding of the role of corporate governance in strategic management.
  6. Develop the ability to analyze and evaluate both quantitatively and qualitatively, the performance of the people responsible for strategic decisions.
  7. Bridge the gap between theory and practice by developing an understanding of when and how to apply concepts and techniques learned in earlier courses on marketing, accounting, finance, management, production and information systems.
  8. Improve research capabilities necessary to gather and interpret key environmental data.
  9. Develop a better understanding of the present and future environments in which corporations must function
  10. Develop analytical and decision-making skills for dealing with complex conceptual problems in an ethical manner.
  11. Recognize different leadership styles with relation to strategic planning
Methods: This course will include:
  1. Assigned chapter readings
  2. Assigned cases in “Cases in Strategic Management” to reinforce concepts
  3. Assigned Discussion Questions / Strategic Practice Exercises
  4. E-mail correspondence with the instructor
  5. CEO Papers to reinforce management practices and CEO perspectives
  6. Weekly Summaries to reinforce material
  7. Complete a final report in “Strategic Management Analysis” for an assigned company
  8. Proficiency examination
Assignment Guidelines:
  1. Assignments will be posted by weeks and are do back to me for review and feedback via email prior to the following weeks assignment. Example: Week #1 assignments are due prior to beginning Week #2 unless otherwise posted. A week is measured from Sunday to Saturday. All work is DUE ON SATURDAY
  2. Assignments more than two days overdue will not be accepted
  3. Submit all assignment content for a specific week together in one email.
  4. Assignment responses must include on each page: Your Name (last, first), Course Title, Week # and Chapter or Case Problem(s).
  5. Final Written Case Project is due on the day of the Final Exam. No late reports will be accepted.
  6. CEO Papers must include references. CEO papers will be graded IAW the attached grading sheet.
  7. Final Exam will be multiple choice.
Grading Sheet:
I will use the below grading sheet in evaluating your CEO papers. Ensure you answer the assigned question in the CEO assignment and verify completion of items 1-25 in the grading sheet.

Grading Sheet for All CEO Written Assignments


Content: Weight 40%

Comments
1. Content is comprehensive, accurate, and /or persuasive.


2. Major points are stated clearly, are supported by specific details, examples, and or analysis.


3. Where appropriate the paper references the theory of the text material applicable to the theme using support from the text and course materials folder


4. Where appropriate the individual demonstrates application and comprehension of the material by relating the theory or linking the theory to a practical experience / personal experience.


5. Research is adequate and timely for the topic.


6. The context and purpose of the writing is clear.


Organization: Weight 20%


7. The introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points.


8. The structure of the paper is clear and easy to follow.


9. The paper’s organization emphasizes the central theme or purpose and is directed.


10. Paragraph transitions are present and logical, and maintain the flow of thought throughout the paper.


11. The conclusion is logical and flows from the body of the paper.


12. The conclusion reviews the major points.


13. Ideas flow in a logical sequence.


Format/Grammer Weight 30%


14. The paper follows designated guidelines for APA format, including citations and references.


15. The paper uses reference appropriately.


16. The paper is neat with attention give to format requirements.


17. Spelling is correct.


18. Word usage is correct.


19. Punctuation is correct.


Readability/ Style: Weight 10%


20. Sentences are complete, clear, and concise.


21. Sentences are well constructed with consistently strong, varied structure.


22. Sentence transitions are presented and maintain the flow of thought.


23. The word choice is precise and unambiguous.


24. The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment.


25. Development of each paragraph provides one idea per paragraph and provides consistency and flow.






Score




Feedback Grading Sheet
Canyon College
BU585 Strategy and Business Policy
Weekly Evaluation Report




Week #8 Final Project Case: Strategic Management Analysis (10 Points)
**DUE On Final Exam Day**


Pick one of the following 4 cases.
  1. Circus Circus Industries—Case #11
  1. Walmart Stores—Case #22
  1. The Home Depot—Case #24
  1. Airbus Industry Coping with a Giant Competitor—Case #32
Written Case Procedures / Format (Maximum outline 7-9 pages)
  1. Problem / Issue Identification:
  1. What are the central facts of the case and assumptions your are making on the basis of these facts?
  2. What is the major overriding issue in the case? What major questions or issues does the case address that merits study in this course and in connection with the chapter material your are covering?)
  1. Analysis Evaluation:
  1. What challenges, threats, opportunities are posed in the case?
  2. What economic, legal, ethical, management, leadership, marketing, etc, responsibilities does the company have and what exactly are the nature and extent of these responsibilities?
  3. If the case involves a company’s action, evaluate what the company did or didn’t do in handling the issue affecting it.
  1. Recommendations:
  1. What recommendations would you make in this case?
  2. If a company’s strategies or actions are involved, should the company have acted the way it did? Why? Why not?
  3. What actions should the company take now and why? Be as specific as possible, and include a discussion of alternatives you have considered but decided not to pursue.
  4. Mention and discuss any important implementation considerations
Evaluation:
  1. Two written cases prepared from Cases in Strategic Management   20%
    2. Case 1: 10%
    Case 2: 10%
  2. Assigned chapter exercises and strategic practice exercises   30%
    Including summaries
  3. Two CEO Papers   20%
  4. Final Exam---Cumulative   10%
  5. Final Written Case Project “Strategic Management Analysis”   20%
A
B
C
D
F
INC 		90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
Below 59%
Incomplete


Course Outline:

Week #1: Introduction to Strategic Management and Business Policy (Part I)

Chapter 1: Basic Concepts of Strategic Management
Chapter 2: Corporate and Social Responsibility

Assignments:

Chapter 1: Discussion Questions 1,2,5
Chapter 1: Strategic Practice Exercise questions 1,2
(Practice exercise question #2 will develop your skills in beginning library and internet research)
Chapter 2: Discussion Questions 1,2,3,
Chapter 2: Page 42 Company Spotlight: Should Maytag Corporation have moved its dishwasher production form Newton, Iowa, to Jackson, Tennessee? List the pros and cons of that decision. What would you have done?

Weekly Summary: (Answer the following)
  1. What did I learn this week?
  2. How has this information helped me become a better manager?
  3. Why is this information important for managers to know?
Week #2 Scanning The Environment (Part II)

Chapter 3: Environmental Scanning and Industry Analysis
Chapter 4: Internal Scanning: Organizational Analysis

Assignments:

Chapter 3: Discussion Questions 2,3,4
Chapter 3: Strategic Practice Exercise question 1. Ensure you justify your answer and give support.
Chapter 4: Discussion Questions 3,4

Weekly Summary: (Answer the following)
  1. What did I learn this week?
  2. How has this information helped me become a better manager?
  3. Why is this information important for managers to know?
Research: CEO Paper #1: Jack Welch, General Electric. Prepare a three to four page double spaced paper answering the questions below

  1. Why is Jack Welch a highly recognized CEO?
  2. What problems at General Electric did he face when becoming the new CEO?
  3. How did he overcome these problems?
  4. What were his “Work Out” and “Six Sigma” programs?
  5. Discuss his boundryless organization. Why did he want this?
  6. Why were these programs created? What did they accomplish?
  7. What impact did these programs have on corporate survival?
  8. What is the GE strategy? How did Welch execute it?
  9. Do you think Jack Welch is a good leader / manager? Why? Why not?
  10. Why are the challenges he faced important to future leaders and managers?
Week #3: Strategy Formulation (Part III)

Chapter 5: Strategy Formulation: Situation Analysis and Business Strategy

Assignments:
Chapter 5: Strategic Practice Exercise questions 1,2,3

Weekly Summary: (Answer the following)
  1. What did I learn this week?
  2. How has this information helped me become a better manager?
  3. Why is this information important for managers to know?
Week #4 Strategy Formulation (Part III)

Chapter 6: Strategy Formulation: Corporate Strategy
Chapter 7: Strategy Formulation: Functional Strategy and Strategic Choice
Arm and Hammer Case

Assignments:

Arm and Hammer Case
Chapter 6: Discussion Questions 1,2,4
Chapter 7: Discussion Questions 1,2,5

Weekly Summary: (Answer the following)
  1. What did I learn this week?
  2. How has this information helped me become a better manager?
  3. Why is this information important for managers to know?
Week #5 Strategy Implementation and Control (Part IV)

Chapter 8: Strategy Implementation: Organizing for Action

Assignments:

Chapter 8: Discussion Questions 2,3

Weekly Summary: (Answer the following)
  1. What did I learn this week?
  2. How has this information helped me become a better manager?
  3. Why is this information important for managers to know?
Week #6_Strategy Implementation and Control (Part IV)

Chapter 9: Strategy Implementation: Staffing and Directing
Chapter 10: Implementation and Control

Assignments:

Harley Davidson Case
Chapter 9: Discussion Questions 3,4,5
Chapter 10: Discussion Questions 2,4

Weekly Summary: (Answer the following)
  1. What did I learn this week?
  2. How has this information helped me become a better manager?
  3. Why is this information important for managers to know?
Week #7 Other Strategic Issues (Part V)

Chapter 11: Strategic Issues in Managing Technology and Innovation
Chapter 12: Strategic Issues in Entrepreneurial Ventures and Small Business
Chapter 13: Strategic Issues in Not-For-Profit Organizations
CEO Paper #2 Al Dunlap, CEO Scott Paper, Sunbeam Corp: Prepare a three to four page double spaced paper answering the following questions.
  1. Why is Al Dunlap a highly respected / highly controversial CEO?
  2. How does Al Dunlap operate using the functions of management?
  3. What is Al Dunlap’s strategy for making a company profitable?
  4. What are the components of his strategy?
  5. What were the problems at Scott Paper or Sunbeam Corporation when he took over? Be specific.
  6. What was his game plan to correct these problems? Be specific
  7. What would you have done in his position given the status of Scott Paper? Why? Why not?
  8. Why are these issues important to future managers?
  9. Do you feel Al Dunlap is an effective manager leader? Why? Why not?
Assignments:

Chapter 11: Discussion Questions 3,4

Weekly Summary: (Answer the following)
  1. What did I learn this week?
  2. How has this information helped me become a better manager?
  3. Why is this information important for managers to know?
Week #8 Introduction to Case Analysis (Part VI)

Chapter 14: Suggestions for Case Analysis

Assignment:

Chapter 14: Discussion Questions 1,2

Weekly Summary: (Answer the following)
  1. What did I learn this week?
  2. How has this information helped me become a better manager?
  3. Why is this information important for managers to know?
Week #8 Final Project Case: Strategic Management Analysis (10 Points)
**DUE On Final Exam Day**


Pick one of the following 4 cases. You must complete a full case analysis using Written Case Procedures format. Paper should be between 10-12 pages.
  1. Circus Circus Industries—Case #11
  2. Walmart Stores—Case #22
  3. The Home Depot—Case #24
  4. Airbus Industry Coping with a Giant Competitor—Case #32
Week #10 Final Exam and Final Case Due

Final Exam Format: Multiple Choice
Final Exam Cumulative: Chapters 1-13

Weekly Summary: (Answer the following)
  1. What did I learn this week?
  2. How has this information helped me become a better manager?
  3. Why is this information important for managers to know?