Section 1

• Compulsory general case question

Use examples from Cases

Section 2

• Theory - do 2 questions out of 4

Use examples from lectures, cases, etc

All Questions carry equal marks

MT301 Exam Structure

MT301 Revision Notes

These notes review the main areas covered in this course but should be studied in conjunction with the

prescribed text, lecture and case discussion notes.

Ch 1 & 2 The Strategic Management Process

•5 tasks of SMgt - issues important at the different stages

•SMgt as process rather than event

•Factors that shape a company’s strategy

Ch 3 Industry & Competitive Analysis

Thinking strategically about industry & competitive conditions

•What are the dominant ec. chars of the industry?

•What is competition like and how strong are each of the 5 forces?

•What are the drivers of change in the industry & what impact?

•What companies are in the strongest/weakest positions in industry?

•What key factors will determine competitive success in the ind env?

•Is this an attractive industry and what are prospects of profitability?

Ch 4 Evaluating Co. Resources & Competitive Capabilities•How well is current strategy working?•What are the company’s resource SWOT?•Are the company’s costs competitive with rivals? - SCA/Vchain•How strong is the company’s competitive position? - CSA

Ch 5 Strategy & Competitive Advantage•Porter’s model of 5 generic competitive strategies•Vertical integration/de-integration - advantages/disadvantages•Cooperative, Offensive & Defensive strategies & comp. advantage•First mover advantage & disadvantage

Ch 6 Strategies for Competing in Globalizing MarketsStrategies for entering international mkts - licensing, export, JVs &alliances. Profit sanctuaries & cross subsidisation. Global v. multi-country strategies.

Ch 8 Matching Strategy to Ind & Co. Situations•Characteristics of the different types of industry & implicationsfor strategy - emerging, high velocity, maturing, stagnant/declining,fragmented. Strategies for industry leaders, runners up, weak businesses

Ch 7 New Business Models and Strategies for the Internet Econ.Supply side of internet economy. Implications of e-commerce envfor strategy & organisations. E-commerce business models & strategies. Key success factors in e-commerce.

Ch 9 & 10 Evaluating Strategy & C. Advan in Diversified Co.When to diversify. Ways to diversify - acq/startup/J. Strategies - related/un/combo - advan/dis. Pfolio mgt - divest/turnaround/retrench/restruct - balance & flows. Nb of Composition & Coordination. Evaluating attractiveness, comp strength, strategic & resource fit. 9 cell matrix, resource allocation/direction Ch 11, 12 & 13 Implementing StrategyUnderstanding wide range of issues involved/affected by imp. &how to improve the imp. process•Nb of strategy-supportive leadership; capabilities; structure; budget; policies/procedures; best practice/kaizen; support systems ;reward systems; culture & ethics•Ongoing iterative process that in conjunction with good stratformulation can be source of competitive advantage