Strategic Management (Case Studies)

Faculty

Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences

Version

Version 1 of 29.05.2024.

Module identifier

22M1030

Module level

Master

Language of instruction

English

ECTS credit points and grading

5.0

Module frequency

only winterterm

Duration

1 semester

 

 

Brief description

Given the increasingly complex and dynamic, at times even turbulent, environment in which companies need to compete today, addressing strategic considerations and developing as well as implementing suitable business/corporate strategies have become key factors of success. Against this background, students learn to identify and analyze strategic challenges, to develop adequate strategies based on scientific tools and to make suggestions for an efficient and effective implementation. In this module, ambitious case studies and intensive classroom discussions are used to deepen existing knowledge in strategic management. Along these lines, the meaning and implications of gloablization for the continued success of companies is emphasized. Topics like positioning strategies, cooperative strategies and/or digital strategies are applied to the discussed case studies. The discussion of state-of-the-art academic journal papers complement the case study approach and ensure highest academic standards.

Teaching and learning outcomes

The contents of the case studies and accompanying texts include but are not limited to the following areas: 1. Review of the fundamentals of strategic management 1.1 Strategy development and strategic analysis 1.2 Strategy implementation 2. Strategic management tools 2.1 External/internal analysis 2.2 Project-based development and implementation of strategies 3. Strategic management in a complex and volatile environment 3.1 Turnaround and change management 3.2 Innovation management and entrepreneurship 3.3. Globalization and internationalization 3.4 Sustainability and corporate social responsibility 4. Overall assessment of the strategic management process

Overall workload

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning
Hours of workloadType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
35SeminarPresence-
10Learning in groups / Coaching of groupsPresence or online-
Lecturer independent learning
Hours of workloadType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
35Work in small groups-
45Preparation/follow-up for course work-
25Exam preparation-
Graded examination
  • Portfolio exam
Remark on the assessment methods

The 100 points portfolio examination (PFP) consists of:

A presentation (PR) worth 50 points and a one-hour exam (K1) worth 50 points.

Exam duration and scope

Presentation (PR): approx. 20-30 minutes

Written examination: in accordance with the valid study regulations

The requirements are specified in the relevant class.

Recommended prior knowledge

Introduction to Strategic Management, Strategy Process, Management Tools, Management Concepts, Strategy Evaluation, Principles of Controlling, Principles of Project and Process Management.

Knowledge Broadening

Students, who have successfully completed this module, have a detailed knowledge of the process of strategic management and the tools used therein. They know the theoretical foundations of strategic management and are able to apply the knowledge across industries and contexts to develop strategic options with positive impact for companies and other stakeholders.

Knowledge deepening

Students, who have successfully completed this module, can formulate business/corporate strategies and implement them in practice. The discussion of state-of-the-art case studies fosters students’ ability to make sense of complex business situations with multiple interdependencies and ambiguity. Moreover, the case studies illuminate the different nuances of the strategic management process in practice and enable students to compare and contrast the decisions/actions described in the cases and other theoretially possible ones.

Knowledge Understanding

Students, who have successfully completed this module, are empowered to challenge strategic decisions and positionings, assess their approrpriateness and conclude regarding their effectiveness.

Application and Transfer

Students, who have successfully completed this module, can apply the tools and instruments of strategic management and are able to structure research questions in new industries/contexts, discover hidden relationships, formulate hypotheses and develop solutions.

Academic Innovation

Students, who have successfully completed this module, can collect and integrate data and information from various sources within a company and from the environment. They are capable of assessing a situation based on facts and analyses and develop suitable solutions, for which they can articulate convincing arguments. 

Communication and Cooperation

Students, who have successfully completed this module, can analyse complex strategic management issues, interpret results, actively contribute to group discussions and are able to moderate the latter. Finally, they are able to present strategic management problems and novel solutions.

Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism

Students, who have successfully completed this module, recognize and value the benefits of strategic thinking and act accordingly in practice. Finally, students can question their own decisions/actions and critically reflect their behaviour.

Literature

Pepijn Vos, Koen Burgers & Brian Tjemkes (newest edition), Strategic Alliance Management, Routledge, ISBN: 978-1138684676

Martin Echavarria (newest edition), Enabling Collaboration, LID Publishing, ISBN: 978-0986079337

Selected case studies from Harvard Business School Press

Selected papers from the following journals: Strategic Mangement Journal, Journal of Management, Journal of Management Studies, Journal of Product Innovation Management, California Management Review, Harvard Business Review.

Each in current edition

Linkage to other modules

Students apply and deepen their methodological/empirical skills developed in the previous module "Empirische Sozialforschung".

Applicability in study programs

  • Business Management
    • Business Management, M.A.

    Person responsible for the module
    • Hofmann, Kay Hendrik
    Teachers
    • Hofmann, Kay Hendrik