Foundations of Strategy

Study Board of Business Economics

Teaching language: English
EKA: B150033102
Censorship: Second examiner: None
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Master

Course ID: B150033101
ECTS value: 10

Date of Approval: 02-03-2018


Duration: 1 semester

Course ID

B150033101

Course Title

Foundations of Strategy

Teaching language

English

ECTS value

10

Responsible study board

Study Board of Business Economics

Date of Approval

02-03-2018

Course Responsible

Name Email Department
Thorbjørn Knudsen tok@sod.dias.sdu.dk

Offered in

Odense

Level

Master

Offered in

Autumn

Duration

1 semester

Mandatory prerequisites

-

Recommended prerequisites

Basic knowledge about theories in economics and organizational behavior. 

Aim and purpose

Foundations of strategy is a core course in the Strategy and Organization master. It presents the theories that comprise state-of-the-art in strategy research. This level of knowledge provides a foundation for the further courses in the strategy and organizations profiles. 

The aim of this course is to: 

  • provide a comprehensive understanding of standard approaches to analyze competitive advantage at the firm, industry and network levels 
  • give the students skills in using the principles laid out in this course to examine and solve strategic problems for a master thesis and in a managerial career. 

Content

Issues relating to strategic decisions and market processes are an integral part of these topics. The most influential recent contributions to theories about strategy are presented, including theories of industrial organization and technological change, competence- and resource-based theory, transaction cost and property rights economics as well as relational approaches.  

This course is centered on three main topics: 

  • Industry and context analysis: Market Power and Dominant Firms; Market Power and Product Quality; Strategic Behavior with Applications (advertising, R&D, learning); Conducting an analysis of markets, industries and strategic groups. 
  • Analysis of the firm: The Resource Based View; rent analysis; bargaining; dynamic capabilities. 
  • The Structure and Boundaries of the firm: Transaction Costs and Property Rights; Relational rents; Diversification and Integration; Identifying sources of competitive advantage; Analysis of markets and asset stocks. 

Learning goals

The aim is that students, by participation in this course, can: 

  • Describe, evaluate and use the theories that represent state-of-the-art in strategy research. 
  • Conduct an informed, insightful, and well-structures strategic analysis of firms and industries. 
  • Analyze strategic problems relating to ownership, including the boundaries and structure of the firm. 
  • Use the principles laid out in this course to examine and solve strategic problems for a master thesis. 

Literature

The reading material includes a text book and a number of selected articles, totaling app. 1400 pages. 

Teaching Method

Lectures, student presentations, and class discussion in English. The learning activities support the students in achieving the aim of the course through readings, lectures, group work, illustrative empirical materials and cases, and classroom games. The students must prepare for the class and are motivated to participate actively in the teachings. 

Workload

Scheduled classes:

3 hours weekly in 15 weeks.

___

These activities result in an estimated distribution of the work effort of an average student as follows:

  • Lectures: 45 hours.
  • Preparation for class: 200 hours.
  • Exam, including preparation: 25 hours.
  • In total: 270 hours. 

Examination regulations

Exam

Name

Exam

Timing

Exam: January.
Reexam: February.

The form of reexam is subject to change.

Tests

Written exam

Name

Written exam

Form of examination

Written examination on premises

Censorship

Second examiner: None

Grading

7-point grading scale

Identification

Student Identification Card - Exam number

Language

English

Duration

3 hours written exam.

Length

Max. 6 pages.

Examination aids

All exam aids allowed.
It is not allowed to communicate with others.

Assignment handover

In the examination room.

Assignment handin

Via SDU-assignment in the course page in Blackboard.

ECTS value

10

Additional information

In situ exam at SDU, students using their own computers.
Internet Access: Necessary.

The examination is based on 2-5 broad questions that invite independent thinking and use of the material taught in this course. 

EKA

B150033102

External comment

NOTE - This course is identical with the former course 9260701 Foundations of Strategy.
Used examination attempts in the former identical course will be transferred.
Courses that are identical with former courses that are passed according to applied rules cannot be retaken.

The student is automatically registered for the first examination attempt when the student is registered for a course or course element with which one or more examinations are associated. Withdrawal of registration is not possible, and students who fail to participate in an examination have used one examination attempt, unless the University has made an exemption due to special circumstances. 
If a student does not meet the established university prerequisites for taking the exam, he or she has used one examination attempt, unless the University has made an exemption due to special circumstances.

Courses offered

Offer period Offer type Profile Education Semester
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS German language profile International Relations Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS Arabic language profile International Market Relations Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS German language profile Global Marketing Management Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS Spanish language profile International Relations Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS English language profile International Communication Management Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS Arabic language profile Global Marketing Management Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS German language profile International Communication Management Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS English language profile International Market Relations Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS Spanish language profile Human Ressource Management Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS German language profile International Market Relations Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS Spanish language profile Global Marketing Management Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS Arabic language profile Human Ressource Management Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS Arabic language profile International Relations Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS Arabic language profile International Communication Management Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS English language profile Global Marketing Management Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS Spanish language profile International Market Relations Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS English language profile Human Ressource Management Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS Spanish language profile International Communication Management Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS German language profile Human Ressource Management Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Optional MA Negot 120 ECTS English language profile International Relations Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense
Fall 2018 Mandatory Management Accounting - Combination 3 MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding 1
Fall 2018 Mandatory Strategy and Organization (optag før 1. september 2017) MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding 1
Fall 2018 Mandatory Management of Innovation Processes MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding 1
Fall 2018 Mandatory Management Accounting - Combination 1 MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding 1
Fall 2018 Mandatory Strategy and Organization (ikrafttræden pr. 1. september 2017) MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding 1
Fall 2018 Optional Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management - Accounting Combination MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding
Fall 2018 Optional Brand Management and Marketing Communication MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding
Fall 2018 Optional Human Resource Management (ikrafttræden pr. 1. september 2017) MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding
Fall 2018 Optional International Business and Marketing (ikrafttræden pr. 1. september 2017) MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding
Fall 2018 Optional Accounting and Finance MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding
Fall 2018 Optional Global Marketing and Consumer Culture MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding
Fall 2018 Optional International Business and Management (ikrafttræden pr. 1. september 2017) MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding
Fall 2018 Optional Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management - Organization Combination MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding
Fall 2018 Optional Management Accounting - Combination 2 MSc in Economics and Business Administration | Master of Science (Msc) in Economics and Business Administration | Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Slagelse, Odense, Kolding
Fall 2018 Optional Cand.merc.aud. - Odense - 140 ECTS - HD-R (sidste optag 1. september 2017) Master of Science (MSc) in Business Economics and Auditing | Master of Science (MSc) in Business Economics and Auditing | Odense, Kolding
Fall 2018 Optional Cand.merc.aud. - Odense - 120 ECTS (sidste optag 1. september 2017) Master of Science (MSc) in Business Economics and Auditing | Master of Science (MSc) in Business Economics and Auditing | Odense, Kolding
Fall 2018 Optional Cand.merc.aud. - Odense - 140 ECTS - HD-F (sidste optag 1. september 2017) Master of Science (MSc) in Business Economics and Auditing | Master of Science (MSc) in Business Economics and Auditing | Odense, Kolding
Fall 2018 Exchange students

Teachers

Name Email Department City
Michael Christensen chm@sod.dias.sdu.dk Odense
Thorbjørn Knudsen tok@sod.dias.sdu.dk Odense
Ulrik William Nash uwn@sod.dias.sdu.dk Odense

URL for Skemaplan