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Teaching Assistant
Course Materials
Textbook
Title: Strategic Management: Creating Competitive Advantages (2nd ed.)
Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2005
Authors: G. G. Dess, G. T. Lumpkin, & M. L. Taylor
Reading Packet
Available at Off Campus Books.
581 W. Campbell Road #101, Richardson, TX 75080; Phone: 972-907-8398.
Course Description
This is a MBA level course designed to prepare students to be senior managers for the increasingly
competitive business world. The emphasis of this course will be on the overall effectiveness of businesses
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through purposeful strategies with the consideration of both the internal condition and the external
environment. Through chapters, readings, and case analyses, we will also discuss issues related to ethical
decision making, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder theory, and the relationship of business &
government.
There are five major objectives for this course. This course will
1. introduce students to some basic concepts and theories in the filed of strategic management,
specifically regarding
a) communicating a firm’s strategic vision by creating a clear and comprehensive mission
statement;
b) completing an analysis of the external environment of a firm;
c) determining the resources and capabilities of a firm;
d) integrating skills acquired in finance, accounting, marketing, and MIS courses to create a
successful generic strategy;
e) identifying the strategic fit of the firm in its industry; and
f) explaining the importance of culture and leadership on strategic implementation.
2. provide opportunities for students to practice strategic management skills through real world
case analyses;
3. train students to take leadership responsibilities and work with other people in teams;
4. offer opportunities for students to develop both oral and written communication abilities; and
5. provide knowledge and skills for students to conduct effective organizational research.
Course Requirements
This course requires extensive readings, active discussions, and diligent group work. The instructor’s
main role will be to facilitate the implementations of these activities and provide constant guidance along
each step of the way.
A student’s final grade (A, B, C, and F) will be based on the weighted average of the following four
categories: Individual Class Participation, Individual Reading Article Discussion, Individual Case
Analysis, Group Case Discussion, and Exam, each of which will be evaluated in the form of an
expanded letter grade similar to that of the undergraduate system (A+/10, A/9, A-/8, B+/7, B/6, …).
All students are expected to attend classes and be prepared for and actively involved in discussing
the chapter and the reading listed in the schedule part of the syllabus. For individual class participation,
each student will also be evaluated based on his/her attendance and contributions to class discussions
throughout the whole semester. Generally, a student can get an A level grade in this category if he/she has
virtually no absence, is mostly on time, and participates actively on a regular basis in class discussions.
However, a student can drop to a C level grade on this part if he/she has multiple absences (partial or
whole) and generally does not contribute to class discussions.
There will be a sign-in sheet for recording the attendance and a photo roster for keeping track of
individual’s overall class discussions.
Each student will be assigned to be one of the discussion leaders for a reading article (from the
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reading packet) for a certain week. Each individual discussion leader will need to submit to the instructor,
a two to three page (double spaced) review of the reading at the time of the discussion, although
coordination in leading discussions among multiple discussion leaders is permitted and encouraged.
The quality of each student's discussion will be evaluated in the following questions:
− Does the student demonstrate a basic understanding of the assigned reading?
− Does the student use the readings as a base to develop new ideas or insights?
− Does the student apply theories and concepts learned from the course?
− Can the student formulate appropriate critiques of the readings and defend his/her position in
discussion with other class members?
Each student will conduct a two to three page (double spaced) case analysis for a designated case
from the reading packet -- WFNX-101.7 FM and Boston’s Radio Wars. There is no fixed format for the
case analysis but it generally should address the following issues:
The grading of the cases analysis will be based on how well a student addresses each of these
issues (ranging from excellent, good, fair, to poor or missing). In addition, the organization, format, and
writing of the case analysis will also be considered in a similar fashion (ranging from excellent, good, fair,
to poor or missing).
The deadline for submission is at the beginning of the third class. To be fair to all the students, no
late or electronic submissions will be accepted.
Each group will research one of the real world companies listed in the syllabus and conduct a case
analysis. Students are required to find background information from various sources including libraries,
internet sites, magazines, and newspapers. At the time of the group case discussion, the group as a whole
should submit a two to three page (double spaced) analysis to the instructor. The format of the written part
is similar to that of the individual case analysis and will be graded in a similar manner. The total credit will
be based on both the submitted written analysis and the actual case discussion in class.
To ensure a good quality, each group is strongly urged to start the preparation process at
least two weeks prior to the designated group case discussion date.
5. Exam (30%)
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At the end of the semester, there will be a comprehensive exam to test the students’ understanding
and application of main theories and concepts learned from Chapters 1 to 13. The exam will contain 50
multiple choice questions and take two hours. Students will be allowed to bring notes on two pieces of
paper of the regular letter size (each double sided), although NO make-up exam will be given.
Important Notes
A summary of the grading criteria has been listed at the end of the syllabus (right before the short
survey page). After the final exam, there will be a designated office hour for final grade checking in the
instructor’s office (see the schedule part for time and location). If a student cannot make this office hour,
he/she can bring a self addressed and stamped envelope to class on the date of the exam, or simply wait
for the university to mail the final grade. No additional office hours will be held.
2. Class Policies
Throughout the semester, each student is expected to follow the university’s guideline on student
conduct with regard to cheating and other dishonorable behaviors. Severe consequences can occur if such
rules are not followed.
A student is responsible for potential consequences that may result from missed classes, portions or
whole. There will be no makeup exam or lectures.
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Class Schedule
# Date Activities
4 9/8 − Chapter 4: Recognizing a Firm’s Intellectual Assets: Moving beyond a Firm’s Tangible
Resources
− Reading 1: Building Competitive Advantage through People (C. A. Bartlett & S. Ghoshal.
2002. MIT Sloan Management Review, 43(2): 34-41.)
− Group Case Discussion 1:
8 10/6 − Chapter 8: Digital Business Strategy: Leveraging Internet and E-Business Capabilities
− Reading 5: The Ten Deadly Mistakes of Wanna-Dots (R. Moss Kanter. 2001. Harvard
Business Review, 79(1): 91-100.)
− Group Case Discussion 5:
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9 10/13 − Chapter 9: Strategic Control and Corporate Governance
− Reading 6: What’s Wrong with Executive Compensation? (C. Elson. 2003. Harvard
Business Review, 81(1): 68-77.)
− Group Case Discussion 6:
11 10/27 − Chapter 11: Strategic Leadership: Creating a Learning Organization and an Ethical
Organization
− Reading 8: Leadership -- Warts and All (B. Kellerman. 2004. Harvard Business Review,
82(1): 40-45.)
− Group Case Discussion 8:
11/21 − Final Grade Checking (12:00 – 14:00 PM, at the instructor’s office)
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Group Compositions
(To be finalized on August 19, 2005)
1 6
1 6
1 6
1 6
1 6
1 6
2 7
2 7
2 7
2 7
2 7
2 7
3 8
3 8
3 8
3 8
3 8
3 8
4 9
4 9
4 9
4 9
4 9
4 9
5
5
5
5
5
5
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List of Companies for Group Case Analyses and Discussions
(To be finalized on August 19, 2005)
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List of Reading Articles and Discussion Leading Assignment
(To be finalized on August 19, 2005)
Reading 1
Reading 2
Reading 3
Reading 4
Reading 5
Reading 6
Reading 7
Reading 8
Reading 9
Reading 10
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A Summary of Grading Criteria
Individual Class Reading Article Individual. Group Case Final Exam Average Final Grade
Participation Discussion Case Analysis Discussion (30%) (100%)
(15%) Leading (15%) (15%) (25%)
Correct # Grade
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A Short Survey
(To be submitted to the instructor after the first class)
Phone Number:
E-mail Address:
4. Are all the requirements and class policies listed in the syllabus clear to you? If not, which specific
part do you need more clarifications?
5. How many hours do you plan to spend on this course each week?
6. Any specific suggestions you may have for the course to be successful?
(Thank you)
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