REQUIRED TEXT:

Hitt, Hoskisson and Ireland, Strategic Management: Globilization and Competitiveness, 4th Ed., Southwestern Publishing, 2001 (Text only).

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE

The purpose of this course is to integrate your prior business administration coursework and to create an atmosphere in which students can study and experience problems related to management of the total firm instead of its individual functions alone. The objectives are to introduce students of business to the perplexities of multifunctional organization problems, to facilitate the development of a personalized approach to the analysis of them, and to introduce students to the principles of formal strategic management. The objective is not to try to teach students how to "run organizations," but rather to acquaint them with the roles of top management in contrast with functional management and to introduce them to issues and problems of particular concern to top executives. To accomplish the objectives of this course, it will be necessary to develop and to improve the analytical, conceptual, technical, interpersonal, writing and speaking skills so necessary in the "Business World." A basic understanding of financial, marketing and management concepts is assumed, which is why BUS 682, BA 412, BICS 363, FIN 350, MKTG 431, and MGMT 405 are prerequisites to BUS 690.

METHODOLOGY:

There are three methodological aspects of the course: the text, case analyses, and three content exams.

1. Chapters should be read and digested prior to class in the day for which they are assigned. They will be reviewed in class by lecture and/or class discussion. Individuals will be chosen to discuss certain aspects of the material covered. Since much of managerial work involves sharing ideas and group problem solving, your class participation will be considered an integral part of the course. Most of the reading materials will be covered in class through class discussions, questions from the students and questions from the professor. In other words, the material studied will not simply be rehashed in class. It will be assumed that you understand the assignment unless you ask questions. That is why it is extremely important that you prepare the assignment adequately prior to our class meetings each week.

2. Case analyses will be conducted in two ways:

   1. Presentations:
      Each group will present two case analyses to the class. The framework of analysis will be discussed in class. Groups are expected to present, discuss and defend their case analysis. Use of overhead projectors or other visual aid techniques are required.

   2. Discussions:
      Individuals are expected to be able to discuss a cogent analysis of the assigned cases during the semester.

3. Content examinations: There will be three examinations covering the text and lecture material.

EVALUATION

1. 2 Presentation Case Analyses
   3 Content Examinations
   Class Participation and Case Discussions

2. Peer evaluation: Each member of the group will turn in a "peer evaluation" of his/her group members at the end of the semester. These evaluations will be held in strictest confidence and results will not be disclosed to any individual until the close of the semester. At that point a student will have the prerogative to inquire about his/her total score as rated by his/her group. There will be no individual scores available for any reason. The obvious purpose of these evaluations is to assist the professor in determining an individual's contribution to the case analyses. Your complete honesty and integrity are expected as no one (yourself, your group, or the professor) will benefit from a less than honest peer evaluation.

3. Since this course is taught as a "seminar" your class participation is expected and strongly encouraged, and recognized by allocating 20% of your evaluation to this important component.