Business Strategy

Training objectives of the course

The course aims to provide the students with:

Knowledge and understanding of:
a) tools to analyse past business strategies;
b) tools to analyse macro and micro business environments.

The ability to apply the knowledge and understanding outlined above to:
- study real business cases;
- observe companies critically;
- make judgments on past business strategies in group work;
- develop communication skills by discussing the above-mentioned business cases and carrying out group work.

Course programme

In line with the learning outcomes, the main content of the course will be related to the analysis and the evaluation of strategic management activities. Content will be structured as follows:
• the concept and levels of strategy;
• the strategic management process;
• the competitive environment;
• competitive strategies;
• international strategies.

Didactic Methods

The course is taught in English and is divided in two parts.

The first part is devoted to the concepts of strategy, strategic process, competitive analysis, competitive strategy and international strategy. In line with the learning outcomes, lectures and case discussions are combined in this part.

The second part is devoted to the development of a group project, with the assistance of the instructors. At the end of it, students will present their analyses and discuss them with the rest of the class.

Learning assessment procedures

The learning level of students will be assessed through:

- for attending students: group work evaluation that could be complemented by a one-chance individual written test (0-3 pt) in the early exam session. Oral exam for all the other exam sessions.

Grades are expressed in x/30.