CORPORATE STRATEGY

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

SA17

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020

Year of supply:

2020/2021

Type of Course:

Characterising

Degree:

Course of 2nd Cycle Degree in MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS

Disciplinary Sector:

Business Administration

Location:

PESCARA

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

DI BERARDINO DANIELA

Cycle:

First four months

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

171

Prerequisites:

Although no prerequisites are required, knowledge of the basic concepts of business administration is recommended, with particular reference to the following topics: economic and financial measures, income and net equity, financial statements, organizational structure.

Objectives

The general objective of the course is to provide
knowledge and skills regarding the strategic
management of companies, the main strategic
analysis and planning approaches. Through the
study of both static and dynamic approaches and
techniques proposed by theory and practice, the
course aims to provide the student with the
knowledge of terminology and operational tools to
understand strategic issues and develop decisionmaking skills and of diagnosis.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, the student must have the
following skills and knowledge:
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
- understand the theoretical models and the
operational tools of strategic analysis;
- interpreting the tools useful for the development of
forecasts and decisions;
- understand the basic contents and development
methods of strategic planning;
- identify the strategies associated with the various
strategic dynamics of the sectors;
- understand the strategic growth and competitive
strategies adopted by companies
KNOWLEDGE AND APPLIED SKILLS
- applying the strategic analysis tools to concrete
cases
- identifying the characteristics of a competitive
environment and the strengths and weaknesses of
companies
- comparing various strategic decisions based on
the features of the competitive setting
- identifying the strategic options to be taken in the
competitive environment
- assessing the adequacy of a strategic decision
- drawing up a strategic plan
- verifying the adequacy of the performances
obtained
MAKING JUDGMENT:
- interpreting the business problems (e.g. reduction
of market share) of companies operating in different
sectors
- linking business problems to strategic decisions;
- comparing different strategic options;
- identifying the appropriate tools to be applied for
the solution of the business problem on the basis of
concrete case study;
- evaluating the effectiveness of the decisions made.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
- transmitting technical language;
- ability in transmitting the logical path followed in
the decision-making process;
- ability to persuade and coordinate a teamwork;
- ability in transmitting problems and strategic
solutions deemed most effective.
LEARNING ATTITUDE
- Carries out individual and group research on
specific aspects of the discipline;
- compare their skills with professional practice
(managers, specialized journals, case studies)

Contents

Business strategy: basic concepts, decision-making
levels, competitive advantage and competitive
strategies, blue ocean approach
The strategic analysis: environment, industry,
competitors, static and dynamic approaches
Strategic planning: process and contents
The evolution of the sector: lifecycle, concentrated
and fragmented industry
The growth strategies and the multi-business
companies
The competitive dynamics: attack, defense,
internationalization, outsourcing, integration
strategies
Innovative strategies and data strategy
Financial strategy
Performance measurement approach

Extended Syllabus

Business strategy: basic concepts, decision-making
levels (CORPORATE STRATEGY, BUSINESS
STRATEGY, OPERATIONS), competitive
advantage and competitive strategies (COST
LEADERSHIP, DIFFERENTIATION, FOCUS
STRATEGY), blue ocean approach
The strategic analysis: environment (PESTEL,
SWOT), industry and competitors, static (5
FORCES, CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS) and
dynamic approaches (STRATEGY CANVAS,
BUSINESS UTILITY MAP)
Strategic planning: process and contents, sales and
cost forecast, capital budgeting, performance
indicators
The evolution of the sector: lifecycle model,
concentrated and fragmented industry
The growth strategies (Ansoff matrix) and the multibusiness companies (diversification strategy, BCG
matrix, portfolio strategy)
The competitive dynamics: attack, defense,
internationalization, outsourcing, integration
strategies
Innovative strategies ( customer experience,
operational leadership; ecosystem strategy) and
data strategy
Financial strategy
Performance measurement system

Recommended Bibliography

GALEOTTI M., GARZELLA S. (eds), GOVERNO STRATEGICO DELL'AZIENDA, Giappichelli Editore, Torino, 2013
Other supporting material provided by teacher in the e-learning platform
The business game manual, www.umc2.it, provided in the e-learning platform.

Methods of Provision

Conventional

Teaching Methods

The course includes 54 hours of lessons divided into
4 weekly lessons of 2 hours and will be organized in
frontal lessons, business game, case study analysis.
To develop specific skills, 2 alternative activities will
be proposed during the course: (in case of face-toface teaching) development of a business game to
be carried out in working groups. The game consists
of managing a virtual company operating in a
realistic competitive market, making strategic and
operational decisions and promptly assessing their
effectiveness; (in the case of blended or distance
learning) the development of a project work to be
carried out in a group on a concrete business case.
The work consists in applying the strategic analysis
techniques (environment, the industry, the
competitors and the company) to evaluate the
strategies adopted and define future strategies.
These methods allow to verify the level of
knowledge learning, the ability to apply the strategic
tools in practice and the transversal skills related to
communication and teamwork. In addition, seminars
will be held with managers, in order to convey
knowledge of the innovative models of strategic
management and decision-making adopted by
companies.
Course attendance is optional.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The student's assessment will take place with a
written exam on the program (for all). Those
students who choose to develop the project work
will discuss the project orally and they will conclude
the exam in oral form (only for attending students).
The written test lasts 60 minutes and consists of 14
multiple choice questions + 2 open questions; it
assigns 1 point for each correct closed answer and
a range 0-8 points for the open answer. The writing
will take place on the e-learning platform (in the
case of distance learning) or face to face. The
student who successfully passes the written test can
ask to conclude the exam with an optional short oral
on the remaining topics of the program not verified
in the written test (maximum 4 points).
The final score is expressed out of thirty.

Contacts/More Information

Erasmus students can e-email the teacher for the
programm and the teaching materials

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree