BA 469 SYLLABUS

BA 469 Schedule

Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Chapters in the Crafting & Executing Strategy Text are indicated by T#, and cases are indicated by C#. Select four cases (but not your groups case) from Memos 1-6 (the lowest grade of these four choices is dropped). Six groups will present cases corresponding to the six memos. Quizzes typically cover the assigned readings and the case for the week, as well as related topics. The lowest score of the five quizzes will also be dropped. No make-up is allowed for any assignment, except in serious personal situations.

Date

TopicAssignments and Activities

Apr1IntroductionT1. Introductions. Sign-up for group cases.

3Strategic Management ProcessT2. Guide to Case Analysis (mhhe.com/thompson).

8External analysisT3, 4. JetBlue (C48) Introduction. Quiz 1.

10Internal analysisJetBlue. Memo/Presentation 1.

15Generic strategiesT5, 6. Quiz 2.

17Supplemental strategiesOliver's Markets (C28). Memo/Presentation 2.

22Global strategyT7. Quiz 3. Project Report Proposal due.

24Global growtheBay (C286). Memo/Presentation 3.

29DiversificationT9, 10. Quiz 4.May1EthicsGoogle (C312). Memo/Presentation 4.

6Execution: capabilitiesT11, 12. Quiz 5.

8Execution: operationsMerck (C518). Memo/Presentation 5.

13Execution: leadership & cultureT13. Merck, cont'd.

15ReviewMidquarter Exam.

20IntegrationIndividual Projects.

22IntegrationKRCB TV & Radio (C251). Memo/Presentation 6.

27Project ReportsProject Report Workshop.

29Project Reviews/PresentationsReport Reviews I. First Draft Project Report due.Jun3Project Reviews/PresentationsReport Reviews II. Second Draft Project Report due.5Project ReportsProject Report Seminar. Final Project Report due.General Guidelines and Expectations for Individual AssignmentsCourse ground rulesStudents and the instructor are expected to treat each other with professional courtesy and respect while still asserting their positions. More specific guidelines include:

1. Come to class prepared for discussion on time, with assignments completed. Late assignments (i.e., not turned in when requested) will be downgraded a minimum of one grade.

2. Attend, pay attention and participate in class activities; do not talk to each other in class while others are participating or presenting, and avoid distractions such as newspapers, other courses, and portable toys (turn off your cellphones and computers, and leave them off).

3. Demonstrate academic honesty in all assignments for this course. This includes not using notes or papers from previous or concurrent policy courses, and conducting individual assignments by you. See http://www.orst.edu/admin/stucon/index.htm for more information regarding cheating and other actionable offenses, as well as the rather severe penalties, which will be enforced.

Students with Disabilities

OSU policy states: "Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 737-4098."

Class discussionClass discussions will generally be based on text readings, lectures, and the cases. Be prepared to communicate as a general manager (i.e., a clear position with supporting analyses). You can be called upon at any time to explain case or chapter concepts; it is best to volunteer when you think you are ready; timidity is no defense. Case presenters are required to involve the audience, so please help them so they can help you. The group is deputized to call on you too. Your quality and quantity of class contributions will be evaluated by the instructor, your group, and the class; display a name tent every day. Dysfunctional and unprepared students will be marked down on contributions.

Written case memosWrite case memos to a member of management (two pages maximum, hard copy, single-spaced, stapled, and no cover page), following guidelines given in class, on the text website (http://www.mhhe.com/thompson) and by the instructor. Use a 12-point Times Roman or Arial font with headers and one-inch margins. All memos must include at least two creative exhibits based on your own analysis (not a direct copy of any existing exhibit). You must also apply course concepts. Make the memos clear, concise and compelling, using information in the case and the reading assignments for support, and as guided by the Focus Questions on the attached sheet. You must use paragraphs, headers and a memo format to one member of management.

Concept quizzesQuizzes will be used to demonstrate your mastery of concepts from the text, lectures and cases. To prepare for text questions, focus on the main concepts in each chapter (note chapter title and headers!). Be sure to study the exhibits. The quiz answers must be neatly organized, using paragraphs, headers and exhibits as appropriate, or points will be deducted. Avoid core dumps.

Individual Project Report

See separate Guidelines for Group Cases and Individual Project Reports.

Guidelines for Group Cases and Individual Project ReportsCase presentations To prepare for your presentation, analyze the case completely with the strategic management framework and relevant course concepts; use the case focus questions for guidelines. In addition, update information on the industry and organization, including critical events and changes in performance (e.g., profits, stock prices if publicly traded, Triple Bottom Line). Cite your sources.

The case presentation should emphasize the highlights of your analysis, including an update of the case relevant to the focus questions. Presentation time, including a competent overview, is limited to 30 minutes (this is not a lecture; you must solicit audience involvement during the presentation). If you do not involve the audience in substantive Q&A on several issues during the presentation, your grade will be reduced accordingly. Your instructor will follow up with further issues during formal Q&A at the end of the presentation. Provide a copy of your outline and visual aids to the instructor before you begin (no memo is to be done by a presenting group or its members).

More specific suggestions to enhance your case presentation include:

1. Present an analysis of the stock price performance (if publicly traded), relating this to industry and organizational events, and make a clear group buy/hold/sell stock recommendation.

2. Include information from other sources on strategic events relating to your issues.

3. You are welcome to use more than one medium, but minimize use of lists; use graphics and other exhibits for at least half of your content.

4. Do not throw candy to the audience, but you can professionally share samples.

5. Your overview should include key issues you will cover, the agenda, and group introductions.

In sum, your grade will emphasize how effectively you state and support a position, select and integrate your supporting information, involve the audience, and apply course concepts.

Individual Project Reports

The individual project report will be based on an issue, an organization and an associated industry of your choice. Try to select an organization and industry related to a possible career path or at least interests you. However, you must select an organization that is publicly traded, or at least an industry with publicly traded organizations that you can use as a benchmark for analysis. You will apply most of the major course concepts in this assignment, using the strategic management process as the fundamental organizational structure, as you have practiced in other case assignments.

Further information will be provided throughout the course, but general guidelines include:

1. You can have up to four pages of text (single-spaced, not including exhibits) in the form of a memo or report to a member of senior management who has asked you to address a key issue.

2. Your selection must not be an overlap of an assignment in another course, past or present.

3. Each student must select a unique combination of issue, organization and industry.

4. The instructor must approve your selection, based on a one-page proposal memo (see course schedule) describing the issue, the organization and industry as well as your reason why this exercise might be worthwhile for you personally.

5. You will receive comments on your first and second drafts, and will be allowed to revise your report before a final grade is assigned (see course schedule). Attach the class reviews as an appendix to your report.Case Focus Questions

The following questions provide a focus for your presentation or written case memo to a member of management. Do not just answer the questions; use them to conduct insightful and integrated analyses that provide key conclusions and/or recommendations. Develop strategies and implementation plans as required. Use course concepts, and include your sources of additional information (presenting groups are always required to update the case and conclude with a stock analysis). All individual, written cases require at least two original exhibits.

CaseFocus Question(s)

1. JetBlue Airlines (C3, pC51)

As a board member, write a memo to David Neeleman reviewing JetBlue's performance trends and how the current strategic vision and corporate strategy have/have not changed from the original. Include the functional strategies and how they helped/hurt implementation. Conclude with an assessment of Neeleman's performance, using the "five tasks of strategic management" in Chapter 2 as a scorecard.

2. Oliver's Markets (C2, pC28)As a consultant to Steven Maass, prepare a memo which assesses the performance compared to industry averages, the competitive strategy, the current industry and competitive situation, and the current organizational situation. Conclude with a clear recommendation and action plan.

3. eBay (C17, pC286)

Prepare a memo to Omidyar and Whitman that provides an analysis of eBay's competitive position, using a strategic group map. Complete the SWOT analysis relevant to eBay's competitive position. Conclude with a summary of the top three issues you see, and recommendations for each.

4. Google (C18, pC312)A member of top management has asked for an analysis of the search engine industry and recommendations necessary to help Google defend against threats and strengthen its lead in the industry. Include a financial performance analysis, a five forces analysis, and a SWOT analysis that identifies key success/failure factors before making recommendations.

5. Merck (C31, pC489)As an expert witness, write a memo to a prosecuting attorney in a class action suit that evaluates whether or not Merck executives (a) lived up to Merck's core values, and (b) acted ethically in the researching and marketing of Vioxx. Include evidence pro and con for these issues, and draw a conclusion that addresses both issues.

6. KRCB TV&Radio (C15, pC245)

As a consultant to Nancy Dobbs, prepare a memo with a full assessment of the key elements of the SMP, including financial performance and how KRCB's strategy, industry factors, and organizational factors have helped/hurt it. Conclude with a specific set of action recommendations the organization can actually implement and that will improve the situation.