Perspectives on Strategy D, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course sets the stage for forthcoming course courses in marketing, management or entrepreneurship. The course highlights key issues for understanding and dealing with the challenges facing contemporary organizations in a globalized world. The students will gain interdisciplinary understanding of the business context and the intertwined nature of its events and processes. Alternative theoretical perspectives on strategy will be presented in order to provide a comprehensive platform for the forthcoming core courses. A distinction will here be made between the rational, decision-making oriented view in traditional literature and the process-based, strategy-as-practice view in front-line research. Students will be trained to think strategically from both an internal and external perspective.

The students will develop capabilities and skills to deal with the knowledge-based challenges of firms and its value creation in new product, service and organizational development covering following topics: How organizations develop dynamic strategies, including choices and actions. How innovation emerges and develops into business ideas. How suitable marketing strategies are implemented in relation to customers, markets, competitors, and products.

The course integrates theoretical insights with practical applications in a learning environment characterized by active student participation, both individually and in groups. Throughout the course the students are encouraged to develop their own strategic approaches.

In addition, students are introduced to what good scientific practice means, how students and instructors can create and maintain a constructive learning environment while preventing misconduct and fraudulent behavior such as plagiarism. Students are, therefore, required to carefully study the guide of ethical and professional behavior, which is aligned with the rules and regulations of Umeå University. Since knowledge of these rules and regulations are fundamental for coming courses and thesis writing this course includes a web-based test to ensure that students understand how to follow these guidelines in practice.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student should be able to:

• Compare theoretical perspectives on management, entrepreneurship, and marketing strategies.
• Evaluate organizations’ strategies with regard to current and future trends in the environment.
• Propose solutions to cope with internal and external strategic challenges and complexities.
• Propose appropriate strategies to meet key dilemmas of innovation, relating to product, process, organization, marketing and business models.
• Critically reflect upon consequences of strategic choices and assess the need for further knowledge and skills.
• Describe and apply ethical/professional learning and research conduct.

Required Knowledge

Admission to the course requires that the student is registered on one of the master programs at Umeå School of Business, and has passed at least 45 ECTS credits at their master program. Students are also required to have English B from Swedish gymnasium or the equivalent.

Form of instruction

The researchers and teachers of USBE and UmU are committed to and encouraged to emphasize their own special knowledge, research results, and know-how in their teaching. Beyond the interactive lectures and guest lectures, the tutoring incorporates reading seminars, case group work(s) and case seminars. The course requires significant amount of independent studies, meaning reading the assigned compulsory book chapters, articles, handouts, and writing self-governing case analyses. It is the responsibility of the students to come prepared for class and to actively participate in discussions. Case related group work will be carried out in teams of 3-5 students and reflection papers and oral presentations will be required.

Examination modes

The assessment of this course consists of seminars and papers, prepared and presented both individually and in groups, and an individual written exam. Due to the character of the topic, the students must attend the obligatory seminars and case presentations in order to pass the course. Furthermore, all students have to pass the web-based test on ethical behavior and professional conduct. A passing grade is required for each part of the course.

The following grading system is used:
Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, Vg, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more)
and Fail (Underkänd U, less than 50%).

To receive the grade Pass with distinction on the course, the student must have achieved at least 75% of the total of points on the separate courses or the equivalent

In case of failure on seminar participation or individual and group assignments, compensating assignments must be completed in accordance with instructions given, no later than two weeks after the completion of the course.

Students who do not pass the written examination will be offered a re-examination opportunity within a month. Beyond that, additional opportunities to complete the written examination normally arise every academic year one-week prior to the start of the autumn term.

When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher. A written request for an alternative examiner should be handed to the director of studies no later than two weeks before the next examination opportunity.

Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments. (see instructions in the Thesis manual. Thesis writing in Business Administration.) Urkund records may be used for control.

Students who fail to present a photo ID at the occasion of a written examination cannot have their results registered.

Lectures are normally not obligatory. However attendance is expected because the lectures are designed to facilitate students towards achieving course specific learning objectives. In addition lectures often provide insightful explanations of, and can supplement and provide contrast to, the course literature and other relevant course materials.

A student who has passed an examination can not redo the examination to get a higher grading.

Grades on the course are awarded when students have passed all examinations and compulsory course elements.

Academic credit transfer
Academic credit transfers are according to the University credit transfer regulations.

Other regulations

This is a course at the D-level in an MSc-degree at Umeå University. The course can also be included in study programs in Business Administration and Economics at Umeå School of Business and Economics.