About this course: Advance your strategic analysis skills in this follow-up to Foundations of Business Strategy. In this course, you'll learn the tools to analyze strategy across time (competitive dynamics), industries ( corporate strategy), geographies (international strategy), and institutions (non-market strategy). We'll introduce the tools you need to complete a comprehensive evaluation and understand the strategy dynamics of an industry: Competitive Lifecycle, Internationalization and Stakeholder Analyses, and Diversification Matrices. We'll apply these tools in case studies of industry leaders Disney, Orascom Telecom Holding, Sony, and GE Healthcare India.
Created by: University of Virginia
Taught by: Michael Lenox, Senior Associate Dean and Chief Strategy Officer
Darden School of Business
Taught by: Jared Harris, Samuel L. Slover Research Chair in Business Administration
Darden School of Business
| Basic Info | Course 2 of 5 in the Business Strategy Specialization |
| Commitment | 4 weeks of study, 2-6 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Dynamic Strategy
Studebaker, Remington, Sears, Kodak. Companies that were leaders in their time but failed to adapt to change. In this module, we'll explore the impact of disruptive innovations and how companies can navigate these changes, evolve over time, and avoid the pitfalls of the competitive life cycle. By the end of this module, you will be able to complete a competitive life cycle analysis and apply this tool in a case study of Sony. Let's get started.
9 videos, 9 readings
- Reading: Course Overview
- Reading: Course Requirements
- Reading: Get to Know Your Classmates
- Reading: Using the Discussion Forums
- Video: Introduction to Strategy Over Time
- Video: The Dynamic Capabilities Perspective
- Video: Introduction to the Competitive Life Cycle
- Video: Competitive Life Cycle: Common Patterns
- Video: Why Incumbent Firms Fail or Survive
- Video: Competitive Life Cycle Analysis
- Video: Module Lessons
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Competitive Life Cycle Analysis
- Reading: Sony PlayStation 4: Aim and Fire
- Video: Sony PlayStation 4 Case Debrief
- Reading: Week 1 Slides
- Reading: Introduction to Strategic Analysis
- Reading: Common Terms, Strategy Analytics, and Gathering Strategic Intelligence
- Reading: The Strategist's Toolkit: Table of Contents
Graded: Dynamic Strategy
WEEK 2
International Strategy
Welcome! Industry and firm globalization has taken off in the past few decades. Firms can realize great gains by moving into foreign markets, but they only do so if they act strategically. In this module, we'll discuss the rise of globalization and explore two primary strategic questions: Where to compete and how to enter that market. We'll consider the pros and cons of strategic options for entering foreign markets. By the end of this module, you'll be able to complete an internationalization analysis and apply this tool to a case study about Orascom Telecom.
10 videos, 2 readings
- Video: Introduction to International Strategy
- Video: Patterns of Internationalization
- Video: Where to Compete
- Video: Entering Foreign Markets: Exporting
- Video: Entering Foreign Markets: Licensing and Alliances
- Video: Entering Foreign Markets: Foreign Direct Investment
- Video: Foreign Direct Investment: Entry Mode
- Video: Module Lessons
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Internationalization Analysis
- Reading: Orascom Telecom Holding: Wind and Weather
- Video: Orascom Telecom Holding Case Debrief
- Reading: Week 2 Slides
Graded: International Strategy
WEEK 3
Diversification Strategy
Corporate strategy is often a question of diversification. How can firms leverage their current position across markets to build profits? In this module, we'll discuss firm scope and the financial, operational, and strategic reasons to expand and diversify. We'll explore the theory of the firm--or why firms exist and how this relates to their scope. By the end of this module, you'll be able to develop a diversification matrix and apply this tool in a case study about Disney.
10 videos, 2 readings
- Video: Introduction to Competing across Industries
- Video: Financial Reasons to Diversify
- Video: Operational Reasons to Diversify
- Video: Strategic Reasons to Diversify
- Video: Why Firms Exist: Theory of the Firm
- Video: Limits on Firm Scope
- Video: The Right Degree of Diversification
- Video: Module Lessons
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Diversification Matrices
- Reading: Walt Disney Co: Mickey Mouse or Media Mammoth?
- Video: Walt Disney Co Case Debrief
- Reading: Week 3 Slides
Graded: Diversification Strategy
WEEK 4
Stakeholder Strategy
How can a firm's values add value to the firm? Stakeholder management is a way of thinking about ethical considerations impacting an organization's strategy. In this module, we'll discuss how effective business strategy considers the impact of a firm's decisions and actions on various stakeholders, both primary and secondary, and uses that knowledge to guide strategic actions. By the end of this module, you'll be able to complete a stakeholder analysis and apply this tool in a case study about GE Healthcare.
9 videos, 4 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Video: Introduction to Stakeholder Strategy
- Video: Creating Value for Stakeholders
- Video: Aligning Key Stakeholders
- Video: Aligning Secondary Stakeholders
- Video: Sources of Institutional Pressure
- Video: Value Creation and Your Values
- Video: Module Lessons
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Stakeholder Analysis
- Reading: GE Healthcare in India: An (Ultra)Sound Strategy?
- Video: GE Healthcare India Case Debrief
- Reading: Week 4 Slides
- Reading: Stakeholder Analysis Worksheet
- Reading: Assignment Overview
- Practice Quiz: Practice Reviewing an Assignment
Graded: Stakeholder Strategy
Graded: Advanced Competitive Position
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
University of Virginia
A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Great course! Really good introduction to strategy. The peer reviewed assignment was the cherry on the cake.
Very Good insights and tools provided throughout the course!!!
Very well taught and detailed.
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I enjoyed the content, the case studies were really good to analyze and understand the reality of these strategies. I specially enjoyed the stakeholders management study case in which media, government and community really had an impact on the execution and implementation of the GE company. Let's keep learning!