MATERIALS: Strategic Management: Building and Sustaining Competitive Advantage, 3ed, Pitts and Lei, along with the custom case book. Assigned Readings and other materials will be provided by the professor as required.

DESCRIPTION: This is a capstone course for the Business Administration major. It is demanding and requires the ability to integrate subject matter and use skills previously learned in your college education. Analytical and integrative thinking skills, problem solving and communications abilities are required for resolving in-depth case studies. Do not be mistaken, the course is "high involvement" and time-intensive (some of this is due to group work), thus do not take it until you have met the requirements and are prepared to meet the time demands. Prerequisite: senior standing with all business core course requirements completed.

OBJECTIVES: Students should learn: (1) the terminology and models in the strategic management field; (2) to use the case study method for analyzing problems; (3) to apply quantitative analysis skills to case data; (4) to define and recognize the concept of competitive advantage; (5) how to formulate competitive business strategy; and (6) to read, research and report about contemporary business issues affecting today's business environment. This will require drawing upon your previously learned course materials, including the breadth of college education in liberal arts, social sciences, quantitative methods and communications, and applying such through the case study method.

EVALUATION: There are a variety of textbook and classroom lecture assignments. Total = 1000 pts:

Points are totaled at the end of the semester with grades assigned on a straight scale basis; individual grades are not
given per se.  Grading scale:  A = 875 pts   B = 800 pts   C = 725 pts   D = 650 pts   F < 650 pts

EXAMS: The textbook portion will include multiple choice questions taken from the text question bank. Additionally, there will be a classroom portion based on lecture materials. Final exam will be multiple choice questions that cover all assigned text chapters. The 'extra credit' portion at the final exam will be voluntary.

Make-up requests: Pre-approval is required with written explanation provided -- get a physician’s note confining you to bed or the death notice for an immediate family member. WARNING: the professor will be very difficult meeting other requests and may allow one make-up exam (leaving for a vacation, upset due to personal problems, having to work,
"I didn't feel well" that day, or whatever are not valid reasons). Each exam and case study is a test of your logic and ability to apply business knowledge and course concepts -- not your opinion about these things.

GROUP CASE ANALYSIS: Three cases are group assignments with class presentation and Q+A period (25 minutes) for the third case. Use the case study format to guide your thinking and write the analyses; all written cases require analysis of up to 5 pages (re-read and follow the case directions; too long will be downgraded). Show an ability to identify key facts, analyze quantitative data and present ideas in a logical format. All members are required to participate in these projects; failure to participate means a grade of zero. This is a test of problem solving aptitude, quantitative analysis abilities and communications skills. Case 1 and Case 2 are worth 30 pts., graded as 30/25/20 (starting point) or 15. Case 3 is worth 60 pts., graded 60/50/40 (starting point) or 30. Give the case to the professor by noon the day before its discussion.

INDIVIDUAL CASE ANALYSIS: One case requires individual written analyses. A well written case is long enough to cover the important information -- but short enough to get to the point! See the above discussion for how to prepare this case. This case is worth 30 pts., graded as 30/25/20 (starting point) or 15.

GROUP CASE WORK: ALL group members participate in case discussions and the three group case projects and presentations. Later in the semester members will evaluate each other for contribution towards the overall group effort.

SPECIAL REPORTS: Each student will have two written reports to prepare (completed with a group partner). The first will be a Geographic Area report, the second on a Contemporary Business Issue. Each is prepared as a 3-4 page analysis; organized with headings; grammar and spell check performed; two transparences ready for the classroom presentation. Give a copy of the paper to the professor by noon the day before it is scheduled. Each is worth 20 pts. each, graded as 20/15/10 (starting point) or 5. Both content (2/3) and presentation (1/3) will be part of the evaluation.

PARTICIPATION: Attendance is expected for each class period. Offering your ideas, making comments, answering or asking questions are ways of demonstrating student knowledge -- "Bewildering Statements", however, are not recognized as "knowledge." Participation means leaving a strong impression with the professor regarding your contribution. Same is true for case study discussions.

Sometimes missing lecture period is unavoidable upon "occasion." However, NO excuse for case days as missing a case is like missing an exam. Recognize that being absent more than three periods -- regardless of the reason -- will affect the participation points awarded (campus closing due to snow is not a missed period). Beginning with the fourth period missed 5 points will be deducted from participation points for each period absent. Likewise, personal decorum is part of evaluation and will affect points awarded.

READINGS: Each student will have the opportunity to voluntarily prepare assigned readings. Each reading is 1 to 2 pages, TYPED, turned in AT CLASS. The format to follow is: (A) Topic of Focus (explain what the article is about),
(B) Key Points (list 5-8 key items), and (C) Conclusions (how does the reading relate to the course). Demonstrate your ability to analyze facts and use quantitative data -- DO NOT write about your "feelings" on the subject.

CASE DISCUSSIONS: Read ALL cases beforehand; preparation will vary by the case (some will require hand notes for class discussion, others will require a written case analysis. Class discussion will show how well the student understands the case -- it is easily apparent who is or who is not prepared. Cases test your problem solving abilities.

COURSE POLICIES:

1. Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be processed by procedures established by the campus.

2. If you have questions about an assignment or course requirements, be sure to ask the professor for clarification rather than make an assumption that later proves wrong. It is best to use the email system for this purpose.

3. Any GRADED material (tests, assigned homework, etc.) must be returned to the professor who holds these for instances of grade disputes or reviews.

4. Assigned readings, papers and case studies must be typed. Written work and presentations will be graded for their communications quality. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED -- REGARDLESS OF THE REASON.

5. Classroom courtesy and decorum is expected from everyone. Rude or childish behavior is not acceptable and will be noted as such. Leaving early, arriving late, holding side conversations, sleeping, etc., are such behaviors.

6. NO CLASSES HELD on Monday, January 17th or the week of March 7-11th.

7. Class withdrawal final day: see Schedule of Classes.

8. Best way to earn a high grade....READ the text assignments and have your materials prepared BEFORE class, ready for participation. Professor adheres to an adage of one of his former professors: "Education is not a spectator sport." This course is treated like a job -- you work in business for pay, work in the course for a grade.

9. Evaluation sometimes means that the professor and student "differ" in their "appreciation" of the course work performed. The professor will explain how the grade was determined but does NOT change the grade because the student "feels this is unfair" or "is disappointed." And NO, extra work is not given to compensate for previous weak performance. If you are a graduating senior, make sure you retain this status.

As an aid for students preparing case analyses, the information below provides guidance for thinking and preparation. Note that each case has a specific purpose describing why it was selected and a lesson that should be applied as its learning objective.