COMM 401 – Section CD,

Summer 2019
STRATEGY and COMPETITION
Days: Tuesday & Thursday 18:30–21:00
Classroom: H 609

Instructor: Dr. Roumen Solov

Tel.: 514-848-2424 ext.: 2905 (available only during the office hours if there is an appointment)
E-mail: roumen.solov@concordia.ca
Office: MB 13.108
Office Hour: Tuesday & Thursday (before class) 17:15 - 18:15 (only by appointment)

Before anything else, I want to underline the importance of familiarizing yourselves

with this COURSE OUTLINE that contains the guiding rules related to all aspects of our
work, my expectations etc. for this course.
Not knowing the instructions and requirements, as written here is not an excuse.
Students who did not read (and reread) this Course Outline could easily make costly
mistakes that will lead to lowering their success.

Course Description

This course introduces the concepts of strategic management and competitive analysis to develop critical
management skills within our graduates. Emphasis is given to integrating concepts and ideas from the
major functional areas such as marketing and finance to give a global perspective on decision-making and
directing modern business enterprises. Lecture topics and case studies are selected to portray the nature
of the process and the dynamics of competition in a variety of contexts. In this context, we also examine
the connection between organizational strategy and the physical environment. Finally, cases and
assignments, which require an analysis of organizational strategies, are selected for class discussions,
individual and group assignments.

Course Learning Objectives: Upon completing this course, students will have developed an
understanding of the major models and theories in strategic management and more importantly have
learned to apply this learning to real life business situations. By utilizing the case method, students will
be exposed to a variety of industries and issues and will learn how to evaluate the external environmental
conditions and the internal company conditions that influence company performance. Students will learn
how to recognize relevant strategic components found within a firm and systematically assess the firm’s
future potential, identify impending problems, and make appropriate recommendations that would allow a
firm to benefit from its advantages and address possible problems.

Course Outline, Comm 401, STRATEGY and COMPETITION, Summer 2019 Page 1
Required Texts and Material

1. TEXTBOOK: Strategic Management: Competitiveness & Globalization, 12th Edition

Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson. (available as a text book or eBook)
a. You can buy the textbook at Concordia’s bookstore,
b. To purchase the electronic version of the textbook there are two ways:

1. Online - use the following website address:

https://login.nelsonbrain.com/cb/entitlement.htm?code=MTPPKH3N5H4W

2. At Concordia’s bookstore where you can purchase MindTap (which includes eBook)

2. CASES: available for purchasing in the link: https://hbsp.harvard.edu/import/638950

Class lecture notes – PowerPoint files for all lectures and other materials will be posted on the course
website in Moodle.
The lecture slides for this course are not intended as a comprehensive summary of the material covered in the
textbook. They are designed to outline and focus on selected key topics of strategic management concepts and tools
during a particular session/week.

To achieve better results you should study regularly the material for each session.
Please download, print and read the PP class notes prior to each class.
I will announce important messages either in class and/or via email using Concordia’s OWA system, or
Moodle. It is your responsibility if you are absent for a class to check with a classmate regarding
what you have missed. Furthermore you require a working e-mail address in your profile and you must
check your Concordia emails and Moodle frequently.
Please add my e-mail address roumen.solov@concordia.ca to your safe list in your spam filter so that you
don`t miss any important announcements.
Grading - The final grade for the course will be determined as follows:

Class Contribution .............................................................

15%
Major individual case assignment ....................................
30%
Group Project .....................................................................
25%
Final Exam ..........................................................................
30%
100%
Note: Students that miss 40%or more of scheduled classes (without a valid reason) can expect to fail
the course.

Classroom expectations
Students are expected to arrive 5-10 min before the beginning of class. Timely arrival for classes is a
must.

If you are one to cause disturbances or not participate I prefer you stay at home. You are expected to act
professionally in the classroom and be civil to your classmates.

Chronic disruptive behavior to the learning environment (chatting with your classmates, hostile behavior
toward others, web surfing) will not be tolerated and will result in deduction in participation points and/or

Course Outline, Comm 401, STRATEGY and COMPETITION, Summer 2019 Page 2
disciplinary action. Please treat the classroom as a workplace and engage in a behavior that is
professionally appropriate

Class Attendance, Participation and Contribution to Class Discussions

Since class discussions are an integral part of this course, attendance at classes is mandatory. I do not take
attendance in my classes. Being present in the classroom does NOT necessarily imply class
participation.

Constructive contribution to class discussion is a significant part of the grade for the course. Your
contribution will be evaluated by the instructor, based on your preparation for class discussions of cases
and readings, presentation skills, and willingness to commit yourself in the class. Students must actively
contribute and make sure the instructor is aware of the contribution.
In addition, course contribution also includes participating equally in the group project. Only if requested,
a group could do peer evaluation. The form will be provided by the instructor.
A significant time of our classes is designed to work as an interactive learning experience. Expressing
your opinion, asking or answering questions and supplying examples of concepts relevant to the course
are strongly encouraged. Active participation will help not only your short term course goals such as exam
performance and participation credit, but will also prepare you for your career by building your
communication skills.

The classroom is an excellent forum for students to practice exchanging information, challenge proposals
and developing solutions.

Meaningful contribution
To be awarded a contribution point students must actively contribute to in-class discussion. Asking a
simple question is not a contribution. At any time the professor will ask students to answer questions, or
express opinion related to the discussed issues

Contribution list
For every class there will be a contribution list. It is a student’s responsibility at the end of every class to
make sure that his/her contribution is reflected correctly in the contribution list for the class. I will not
accept any student’s complaints later on stating that your contribution for any particular class was not
recorded correctly in the contribution list by your colleague who was my assistant for that particular
class.
Contribution grading
Your contribution grade will be based on two elements: quantity and quality.
 Quantity element - You have to accumulate 10 points to get full credit. Any time when you
contribute in a meaningful way to the in-class discussion you get 1 point. Per class a student can
get maximum 2 points.
 Quality element – The professor, according to his judgment, will adjust at the end of the
course
your quantitative grade up, or down, depending on the quality of your contribution
Individual assignment
There is one major individual written assignment - A case analysis of case J&J Electrical Contractors.
A hard copy of your paper is due at the start of class 7, July 18.
An electronic copy (WORD FORMAT) is due the same day before class, no later than 16:00 hrs. I need
the electronic copy to check your compliance with the max words allowed for the paper. Please do not
send me PDF file.
The written assignment must conform to these specifications:

Course Outline, Comm 401, STRATEGY and COMPETITION, Summer 2019 Page 3
 A separate title page (I will post on Moodle
the template to use).
 A maximum of 1500 words (approximately
six typed pages)
 Max 3 exhibit pages of tables, graphs, or
graphics.
 1.5 or Double-space text paragraphs; single-
space bullet point lists.
 Times New Roman or Arial font -11 or 12 pt.
(250 words per page).
 Stapled in top left corner, please do not
enclose in any type of binder or folder.
Course Outline, Comm 401, STRATEGY and COMPETITION, Summer 2019
 Originals only, no photocopies will be
accepted.
 Papers received after the start of class will
have the grade reduced by 10%. After that
class, late Assignments, if accepted, will
have the grade reduced by 10% for each
calendar day late. The date of receipt is the
date the instructor receives the late paper.
 This is an individual assignment and must be
completed independently: It is not
acceptable to submit text, exhibits and
appendices that have been jointly
prepared.
Page 4
Group Case Analysis Project
The group project involves a case evaluation presentation in PowerPoint format. The class will be
divided into 9 self-selected groups (group size will depend on class enrolment). Each group will have to
produce a 20-25 minute class presentation followed by a 10-15 minute questions and discussion period.
Groups will present each case back to back.

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During the first class you will create on a self-selection base your groups and those who will be absent
will miss that opportunity. They will be assigned later to certain groups, if accepted by the group and if
there will be a vacancy in any particular group. Groups must be formed no later than class 3 July 4, 2019
and each group will be randomly assigned one case by the instructor.

Groups should use relevant material from the course textbook and design and format the presentation
according to the CASE ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK provided and explained to you by the instructor.
While content is critical, the appearance will be part of the project grade as a professional appearance is
expected. There is no limit on the number of slides; the restriction is about the time of your presentation -
max 25 minutes. (Note: no written report is required).

A hard-copy of the PowerPoint presentation (max 2 slides per page) is due at the start of the class the
group is presenting in.
An electronic copy of the PP Presentation has to be sent to me by email as attached file no later than
16:00hrs the day of your team presentation.

Group Case Grading

You will be graded both for the presentation skills and the content of the presentation.

A) Your presentation skills will be graded on two major elements:

1) Presentation skills (15% of the total grade) - your capability to persuasively explain your
topic.

2) The quality of your PP slides (15% of the total grade) - the quality and organization of the
text and illustrations, appropriate colors, etc.

Prepare well and do not read in any way your parts from notes. If any one of the team
members will do so, his/her grade will be lower 10% than the team grade. Do not try to
memorize/learn by heart what to say. You should use a professional tone in your performance, but
also strive to be engaging and creative.

B. The content (70% of the total grade) of your presentation will be graded by several key criteria
including quality and depth of your analysis; use of the available literature; arguments fully and logically
developed; valuable practical recommendations, etc.

Group Case Judging

In addition to the presentation for the assigned group case, each group will also be assigned one of the
other group cases for the purpose of judging/questioning/evaluating the presentations of their classmates.
As part of the contribution grade, a list of possible questions (1 page) must be submitted to the
instructor on the day of the presentation. While listening to the presentation, you can modify any of the
questions in your list and add new questions.

The judging groups will submit also a critic of the presenting groups that includes each element of the
CASE ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK as provided to you by the instructor, plus a short report that outlines
their analysis (2 pages) of the case. That is due the following week.
Teams will be randomly assigned their judging responsibility. Each group will judge one case.

Final Exam

The final exam will be a case analysis covering all topics and readings discussed during the term.
Note: Students must take and pass the final exam to pass the course.

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Communicating with me
The most efficient way to communicate with me is a face-to-face discussion. We can arrange a meeting
in my office during my scheduled office hours. Please send me an email to ask for an appointment.
 I will respond to your letters only when you clearly identify yourself in the subject line of the
letter.
 Your identification includes: your name and ID number; course name and number; section
letter; plus your group number.
 Example: John Grant, ID 12345678, COMM 401, section CD, group # 5

 I will not respond to letters without the entire student’s identification.

 You should expect a response within 24 hours (except the weekends when I do not respond to
student’s emails).
 Peer evaluation is NOT mandatory. If some members of a team want to do it at the end of the
term or earlier they should contact me. I will provide for that team a peer evaluation form.
 As a rule, the grade for the group project is the same for all members of the team. It is a team
grade. The purpose of a peer evaluation is to lower the grade for the group project of those team
members who created problems and difficulties and their contribution was not satisfactory.
 Members of the team cannot ask for peer evaluation to increase their own grade above the team
grade.

Prerequisites:
45 business credits including COMM 225; COMM 226 or 301; COMM 315 and 320 previously or
concurrently, as per the most recent Undergraduate Calendar
Note: Students who have credits for MANA 460 or COMM 310 may not take this course for credit.

Plagiarism: All students are reminded of the Concordia University Code of Academic Conduct, as
defined in the Undergraduate Calendar. Any violation of the Code of Academic Conduct will be
adjudicated in accordance with University regulations. Individual assignments should be completed
independently, and it is not acceptable to submit exhibits and appendices that have been jointly prepared.

Academic Integrity: The Academic Code of Conduct at Concordia University states that “the integrity
of University academic life and of the degrees, diplomas and certificates the University confers is
dependent upon the honesty and soundness of the instructor-student learning relationship and, in
particular, that of the evaluation process. As such, all students are expected to be honest in all of their
academic endeavours and relationships with the University" (Undergraduate Calendar, section 17.10).
All students enrolled at Concordia are expected to familiarize themselves with the content of this Code.
You are strongly encouraged to visit the following web address:
http://www.concordia.ca/academicintegrity , which provides useful information about proper academic
conduct.
In the event that the University is unable to provide services or that courses are interrupted due to events
beyond the reasonable control of the University, including classroom disruptions, the University reserves
the right to modify any element contained in the course outline including but not limited to the grading
scheme and the weight accorded to exams or assignments.

GRADING SYSTEM

Letter Grade Numerical GPA Letter Numerical GPA

Grade Grade Grade

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 Outstanding Satisfactory
A+ 90­100 4.30 C+ 67­69 2.30
A 85­89 4.00 C 63­66 2.00
A­ 80­84 3.70 C­ 60­62 1.70
Very Good Marginal Pass
B+ 77­79 3.30 D+ 57­59 1.30
B 73­76 3.00 D 53­56 1.00
B­ 70­72 2.70 D­ 50­52 0.70
FNS 0­49 0.00

COMM401, Section CD, summer 2019,

STRATEGY and COMPETITION

CLASS SCHEDULE
Classroom H 609

Class Date Class Activity Assignments

1 June 27 Review of Course Outline and
Group formation
Lectures:
1. Introduction to Strategy Chapter 1 pp. 4-6, 18-19, 25-27
 What is Strategy 1. Lecture PP slides
and why is it important?
 Crafting and Executing Strategy
2. How to do Strategic Case Analysis? 2. Lecture PP slides

2 July 02 Lecture: Evaluating Company’s

External Environment Chapter 2 – External Environment
Case discussion Case # 1: Loblaw Companies Limited
3 July 04 Lecture: Internal Analysis Chapter 3 – The Internal Organization
Case discussion Case # 2: Starbucks
4 July 09 Lecture: Business Level Strategy Chapter 4 – Business Level Strategy
Case discussion Case # 3: Wal-Mart Tries Cheap Chic
5 July 11 Lecture: Corporate Level Strategy Chapter 6 – Corporate Level Strategy

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 Case discussion Case # 4: Walt Disney Company: The
Entertainment King
6 July 16 Lecture: Merger and Acquisition Chapter 7 – Merger and Acquisition
Strategies Strategies
Case discussion Case # 5: Gillette’s Energy Drain (A):
The Acquisition of Duracell
7 July 18 Class Activity: Mini-case discussion – DUE TODAY! - Individual Mid-term
Robin Hood assignment: case J&J Electrical
Contractors ….
8 July 23 Lecture: Strategies for Competing in Chapter 8 - International Strategy
Foreign Markets
Case discussion Case # 6: Emerging Nokia
9 July 25 Lecture: Cooperative Strategy as a Chapter 9 – Cooperative Strategy
Competitive Approach
Case discussion Case # 7: Eli Lilly in India
10 July 30 Key Strategic Concepts Review Case: Mid-Term Case Overview and
Case discussion Discussion
11 Aug. 01 Presentations Group 1, 2 and 3 Present
Case: Signet Group 7, 8 and 9 Judge
12 Aug. 06 Presentations Group 4, 5 and 6 Present
Case: Starbucks Group 1, 2 and 3 Judge
13 Aug. 08 Presentations Group 7, 8 and 9 Present
Case: Underarmour Group 4, 5 and 6 Judge

Note: the above schedule can change at the instructor’s discretion, prior notice will be given.