CC 268
Wednesdays:  6:30 to 10 p.m.

Required Materials

• Thompson, A., Strickland, A., Gamble, J.,  Crafting and Executing Strategy, The Quest for Competitive Advantage:  Concepts and Cases, 16th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2008. 

• To enable students to develop a top management (strategic) perspective.
• To have students apply their knowledge of business functional areas to the practice of strategic management.
• To teach students theoretical and practical tools needed to analyze objectively and logically complex business situations and to devise well-reasoned, feasible, strategic plans.
• To provide students with an opportunity to present their analysis, objective findings and strategic solutions in written and oral formats.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how top management strategic concepts—including specific strategies—apply to the creation of competitive advantage for organizations.
• Develop internal and external analyses for a variety of organizations and strategic situations, given sufficient information.
• Draw reasonable logical conclusions about an organization’s strategic situation based on internal and external analysis.
• Devise alternatives and recommendations for a strategic plan intended to create long-term value for organizational stakeholders.
• Produce well structured, professional written reports incorporating quantitative information.
• Produce and deliver a professional presentation.
• Demonstrate the ability to work within a team to develop strategic analysis and produce written reports and/or presentations.

Grading Schedule and Weights

Connectivity

Keeping pace with the state of modern business Internet access to the World Wide Web and e-mail is required for the duration of the course.  If you do not have access away from campus there are several computer labs on campus that are available without charge.  This syllabus, class updates and a variety of CSUEB related links will be posted on the web site http://www.martsolf.com.  In addition, each student should maintain and regularly check an e-mail account to receive urgent updates.  In the first week of class each student should visit the home page above and follow the links to the CSUEB pages or log on to http://www.martsolf.com/CSUH/CSUH.html and click on the “Add to E-Mail” button under “Management 4650, Section 03.”  This e-mail only needs to be sent once, and within a few days you will receive a confirmation that you have been added to the mailing list.
 

The final letter grades for the course will be determined through the use of a modified curve.  The examinations, the case presentations and overall individual class participation will each count as 100 points.  The total points accumulated during the course will be the primary input for assigning final grades.  However, trends in performance, both individually and in comparison to the class at large, may have a positive effect on the final grade.  In general, the grades may be expected to fall within the following distribution:

Case Presentations and Examinations

Students will be organized into groups for case research and presentations.  Each group will consist of two to six students and will analyze and present two separate cases.  Results of the group research and analysis must be submitted in both a written report and an oral presentation.  Each member of the group is expected to participate in the research, preparation and oral presentations.  The written report must be submitted to the instructor at the class meeting before the day of the presentation.  If additional equipment is required for the oral presentation the request must be made to the instructor at least one week in advance of the presentation date.  The oral presentations will be limited to 30 minutes, including time for class discussion.  Research reports and oral presentations will be graded as a team effort for each group.  In addition, each presenter must submit a separate "Group Evaluation Form" at the time of the presentation.  The Group Evaluation Form may be downloaded from the "Subject Review" page.

Examinations will be closed book.  However, to prevent unnecessary memorization it is recommended that each student bring an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper containing notes to the examinations.  No other notes, scratch paper or other study aids will be permitted.  The examinations will be based on readings from the text, the lecture material and the oral presentations. Examinations will focus on students' comprehension of the material through multiple choice, true-false and essay questions.
 

Make-Up Examinations

Make-up examinations will not be given, except in cases of illness or other extenuating circumstances.  A make-up examination will be authorized only if the student notifies the instructor prior to the scheduled examination, and provides a written explanation on the first day back in class.  If the instructor cannot be reached during office hours, please send an email explaining the circumstances as soon as possible.  


Incomplete Grades

Incomplete grades are assigned only in accordance with University policy as specified in the CSUEB Catalog.  In addition, the Department of Management and Finance requires a "Report of Incomplete Grade" form to be filed with them before an incomplete grade will be accepted.  This form must be completed by the student and given to the instructor, along with any supporting documentation, prior to the final examination.
 

Attendance

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, or if you would need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation, please contact me as soon as possible. Students with disabilities needing accommodation should either speak with me or SDRC. 

It is assumed that each student in the class is interested in obtaining the best possible education.  To do so requires honest, individual effort.

The University has a published policy on cheating and academic dishonesty.  Students are expected to be familiar with the policy and to abide by it. Cheating will result in: 1) a zero score on the test and the loss of all grading options; and/or 2) an "F" grade for the course; and/or 3) referral to the Academic Vice President for expulsion from the University.

If you are concerned about your grades, contact me.  I will do everything I can to help you earn the grade you want legitimately.
 

Case Groups

Case Oral Presentations

Class Participation

Class participation is an important part of the grading for the course.  It is expected that each member of the class will have researched each of the cases presented, and participation in the question and answer period following each case will be counted toward the final grade.  Points will be awarded according to both the quantity and quality of participation.  Each group of students will prepare an analysis of the managerial issues for each case being presented each day.  All case analyses shall comprise a minimum of 3 typed pages of analysis, double-spaced and will be due at the end of the case presented.  Attached to the analysis should be at least 6 incisive questions for the presenters.  Students will receive one point for each case analysis (excepting their own), and one point for each "good" question that is asked of the presenters.  There are a possible 20 participation points that are required to earn full credit for class participation (100 percentage points).  So, if you if you submit a synopsis for each of the cases (not including those that your group presents) and you ask 6 "good" questions you will earn full points for class participation. 

Only questions that demonstrate a command of the case under discussion, an independent analysis of the facts and issues, will earn points. Questions that focus on historical detail and speculation will likely earn no points.

Examples:

"You recommend that XYZ Company diversify into the widget market while noting that the firm has suffered declining revenues and profits in the last three years. I notice that they also had a shortage of working capital two years ago, indicating potentially serious financial problems. How do you propose that XYZ finance the expansion into widgets in the long term, and how do they return to financial health in the short term?"  - Good question:  demonstrates the questioner has read and understood the case and the strategic issues involved.  (question earns points)

"Do you think XYZ will offer a deluxe widget?"  - Calls for speculation:  demonstrates no independent analysis or insight.  (question earns no points)

"What is a compound widget?"  - Calls for a clarification of facts:  demonstrates no independent analysis or insight.  (question earns no points)