MGNT 428
BUSINESS POLICY AND STRATEGY

1. Catalog Entry

MGNT 428. Business Policy and Strategy
Three hours lecture(3).

Prerequisites: FINC 331, MGNT 357, MKTG 340 and senior standing.

A capstone course focusing on how organizations achieve sustained success in a competitive global economy. Functional skills acquired in other business classes are integrated in making ethical strategic decisions and applying them to competitive positioning. A business core requirement.

2. Detailed Description of Course

Outline of Major Topics:

• Concepts of Strategic Management
• Corporate Governance
• Industry Analysis
• Internal Resource Assessment
• Revenue-Cost-Profit Assessment
• Strategy Formulation
• Strategy Implementation
• Performance Evaluation and Control
• Corporate Diversification
• Global Competition

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

By completing the course, the student will be able to utilize a wide range of management decision making tools for competitive positioning of the firm. Content will be structured around a Strategic Management Model. Delivery options may include lectures, case studies, presentations, research projects, industry competition simulations, and other outside assignments to integrate various business disciplines. Student participation in the class will lead to attainment of analytical and communication skills required in managing an organization.

7. Goals and Objectives of Course

At the conclusion of the course, students will:

1). Know how to apply managerial tools for analyzing the financial and competitive positioning of firms and industries
2) Have an understanding of the challenges facing managers in implementing strategic plans and integrating functional areas of business
3) Understand the methods for matching a firm’s internal capabilities and external competitive conditions
4) Be able to synthesize and apply information to evaluate a firm’s competitive advantage and its sustainability.
5) Have administrative and communication skills necessary to present a firm’s performance results to organizational stakeholders
6) Be able to identify and evaluate the elements of a firm’s business model.

5. Assessment Measures

Grading will be based on a combination of examinations, the student's participation in class discussions, oral presentations, writing assignments, and business simulations or other projects as assigned.

6. Other Course Information

Outside presenters, videotapes illustrating business strategy concepts, and use of computer tools and software will be used depending on the projects selected by the instructor.

7. Review and Approval

DATE ACTION APPROVED BY
10-06-04, reviewed and approved by the Dept. of Management and Marketing faculty