Strategic Analysis

This course advances the student's understanding of the strategy process, content and context. The purpose is to develop individuals that can hold staff positions or consultants within the areas of strategic analysis, planning and strategy process design. Knowledge and skills obtained in this course will be practical and useful in organizations where strategy implementation and organizational change is a part of the challenge.

Language of instruction is English.

None

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• knowledge of theory about the business environment
• knowledge of the notion of strategic capability and purpose
• advanced knowledge of corporate, international and business-level strategy
• knowledge of innovation, entrepreneurship and strategic change
• knowledge of organizing, capabilities and resources
• knowledge of methods of strategy development and evaluation

Skills

The student can

• understand and analyze strategic competitive positions in relation to content and context as well as strategy processes
• engage professionally in strategy development, implementation and evaluation

General competence

The student

• has insight into relevant subjects and professional ethical issues
• can plan and execute varied work tasks and projects in accordance with ethical requirements and guidelines
• can communicate key subject matter such as theories and problems and solutions both in writing and orally
• can exchange views and experiences with others with background in the subject area and through this contribute to the development of good practice
• be familiar with innovative thinking and innovation processes

Lectures and discussions in plenary sessions, group work and other forms of learning methods will be used.

The teaching takes place with in-person attendance on campus.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework 1: A portfolio including hand-ins and presentations:
  • Two presentations based on cases and/or journal articles, delivered during lectures. Each presentation lasts 8-10 minutes, followed by 2-3 opponent questions for discussion.
  • Case-based group research project: Semester-long project linked to course lectures, consisting of:
    • (1) Project plan: One-page plan describing structure, data sources, and milestones.
    • (2) Final report: Unified analysis of a firm case addressing the guiding questions. Each group member must contribute; expected length is three pages per member (excluding title page, contents, tables, figures, etc.).
    • (3) Final presentation: Condensed presentation of results (one slide, maximum five minutes).
  • Individual reflection projects: Two reflection papers (Project 1: related to the lecture and workshop "Basics of scientific writing and working"; Project 2: related to the course content and individual development), 3-4 pages each, based on guiding questions and supported by examples and theory.
  • Individual participation in discussions

Further specification of the portfolio will be presented to the students at the course start. The size of the group composition depends on how many students are participating in the course.

The purpose of the coursework is to provide good insight and abilities to work with various approaches to strategic analysis. The coursework will provide the students with a continuous learning approach from day one to be best prepared for the exam at the end of the semester as well as their professional future.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline for the student to take the exam. If the coursework requirements have not been approved, the student or student groups will be given one more opportunity to submit an improved version by a given deadline.

The exam in the course is a supervised exam of 4 hours.

The following aids are permitted:

• One dictionary: Native language-English/English-native language or English-English

Grade scale A - F

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers.