Class 1: Introduction to Strategy: What is Strategy/ Strategic Management
Readings:
Grant, R. Ch1 and Ch2.
Michael E. Porter, "What is Strategy?" Harvard Business Review, November-December 1996, Reprint #96608(*)
Cases/Exercises:
Madonna(*) ¿ In Grant, R. Contemporary strategy analysis, 7th edition. Wiley.
Assignment Questions:
1. What is Strategy?
2. In Porter's view, what is the difference between Operational Effectiveness & Strategy?
3. What is the role of tradeoffs in Operational Effectiveness & Strategy?
Class 2: Industry Analysis
Readings:
Besanko et al. Industry Analysis. Ch11.
Grant R. Ch 3.
Cases/Exercises:
Cola Wars Continued: Coke vs. Pepsi in the 21st Century (HBS 9-702-442) (*)
Andrea Fosfuri, Marco S. Giarratana. 2009. Masters of War: Rivals¿ Product Innovation and New Advertising in Mature Product Markets. Management Science
Assignment Questions:
1. Why is the soft drink industry so profitable?
2. Compare the economics of the concentrate business to the bottling business: why is the profitability so different? Why are concentrate producers integrating into bottling?
3. How has the competition between Coke and Pepsi affected the industry's profits? Has competition between the two companies in emerging markets differed substantially from competition in the United States?
4. Will Coke and Pepsi sustain their profits? What would you recommend to Coke to ensure its success? To Pepsi?
Class 3: Positioning and Competitor Analysis
Readings:
Grant R. Ch4.
Bridoux & Stoelhorst (2014) Microfoundations for stakeholder theory: Managing stakeholders with heterogeneous motives, Strategic Management. Journal 35: 107¿125.
Cases/Exercises:
Dogfight over Europe: Ryanair (A) (Case: HBS 9-700-115)(*)
Ryanair (B) ¿ distributed in class
Learning Objectives:
1. What is the Structure-Conduct-Performance Model?
2. How does industry (5-Forces) analysis help us to identify profitability of an industry?
3. How does one test the S-C-P model?
Assignment Questions:
1. What is your assessment of Ryanair¿s launch strategy?
2. How do you expect Aer Lingus and British Airways to respond? Why?
3. How costly would it be for Aer Lingus and British Airways to retaliate against Ryanair¿s launch rather than accommodate it?
4. Can the Ryan brothers make money at Ipond 98 fare they propose?
Class 4: Analyzing resources and capabilities
Readings:
Grant, R. Ch5 and Ch6.
Cases/Exercises:
Walmart (*) - In Grant, R. Contemporary strategy analysis, 7th edition. Wiley.
Assignment Questions:
1. How did Walmart become one of the most profitable company in the world?
2. How different are Ryanair and Walmart in terms of cost advantage?
Class 5: (Sustainability of) Competitive Advantage
Readings:
Pankaj Ghemawat, "Sustaining Superior Performance" (*)
Cases/Exercises:
Ducati (HBS 9-701-132) (*)
Assignment Questions:
1. In Ghemawat¿s view, what are the major threats to sustainability?
2. What are the most likely threats to the sustainability of Ryanair¿s competitive advantage?
3. How does Ducati create value?
4. What is the economic logic behind Minoli¿s turnaround efforts? In which ways have they been successful & unsuccessful?
5. Should Ducati get into cruisers?
Class 6: Midterm evaluation + Project outline presentations
Class 7: Vertical Integration and Diversification
Readings:
Grant, R. Ch 13.
Cases/Exercises:
a) Zara: Fast fashion(*)
Assignment Questions:
1. How does Zara use a vertical integrated structure to create a competitive advantage?
Class 8: Global Strategy
Readings:
Pankaj Ghemawat - Differences Across Countries: The CAGE Distance Framework
Pankaj Ghemawat - Managing Differences - The Central Challenge of Global Strategy
Cases/Exercises:
Grolsch: Growing Globally
Assignment Questions:
1. Why did Grolsch pursue international expansion?
2. How well has Grolsch done in growing its international business?
3. What lessons can be drawn from where Grolsch has been most successful?
4. Why did you
Class 9: Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility