Course Syllabus

Course InformationCourse Number/Section BA4305-HON Course Title Strategic Management/HonorsTerm Fall 2007Days & Times MW 11:30-12:45

Professor Contact InformationProfessor Marilyn R. Kaplan, Ph.D. Office Phone 972-883-2742Email Address mkaplan@utdallas.eduOffice Location SOM4.216Office Hours Mondays 10-11, Wednesdays 10-11 & 6-7Other Information Please email through WebCT

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other RestrictionsCo-requisite: BA 4371, Prerequisites: BA 3341, BA 3351, BA 3352, BA 3361 and BA 3365.

Course DescriptionThis is a capstone-level course requiring integration of all fields of business. Students will draw on their broadened awareness of various environmental influences (social and political) to solve business problems. Management alternatives will be examined with an ethical perspective relating policy trends to the strategic planning mode.

The Strategic Management course has been designated a capstone course in business at the University of Texas at Dallas. The purpose of a capstone course is to integrate the learning achieved in individual business courses taken to earn a business degree. The knowledge acquired in finance, accounting, operations, MIS, marketing, and organizational behavior classes will be utilized to study the strategic management of the firm as well as the responsibilities of the general manager. Group and individual assignments will be graded on content and written and oral presentation skills. Students will participate in a simulation that requires taking into account multiple decision-making factors while balancing all sectors of the firm’s environment.

This is an extremely intense course, which requires a substantial time commitment. The university has mandated as part of this course a requirement of at least 15 double spaces pages of writing per individual student that will be evaluated on grammar, punctuation, and writing style. A writing tutor will assess the written assignments, provide detailed feedback, and determine whether a revision is necessary. Because of this requirement, please submit 2 copies of all written assignments.

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Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

1. Students will be able to complete an external and internal analysis of a firm.

2. Students will be able to identify the strategic problems of a firm.

3. Students will be able to develop solutions to a firm’s strategic issues.

4. Students will be able to integrate skills acquired in finance, accounting, marketing, and MIS courses to create a successful firm strategy.

5. Students will be able to write using effective technical requirements including organization, mechanics, and style.

6. Students will be able to practice and apply gathering, incorporating and interpreting source material in their writing as appropriate to strategic management.

7. Students will be able to write documents directed toward a business audience using effective written arguments.

Required Textbooks and MaterialsRequired TextsStrategic Management and Competitive Advantage

Barney & Hesterly, 2006, Pearson Prentice-Hall

Understanding Corporate Annual ReportsPasewark

Business Week Magazine

Additional readings as assigned

Required MaterialsRequired Simulation:Capstone Foundation and Comp-XMwww.capsim.com

Suggested Course MaterialsSuggested Readings/TextsBusiness Periodicals

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Assignments & Academic CalendarTopics, Reading Assignments, Due Dates, Exam DatesWeek Topic B&H Capstone Individual Firm

Analysis8/20 Capstone Intro Registration

Solo Rehearsal8/27 Game Practice Groups formed/Library

orientation8/29 Firm choice

9/5 StrategicManagement/Mission

1 Practice #1

9/10 External Environment 2 Practice #2

9/17 Internal Environment 3 Round #1 9/19 Section 1

9/24 Cost Leadership 4 Round #2

10/1 Differentiation 5 Round #3 10/3 Section 2

10/8 Focus Round #4

10/15 Industry Analysis Game analysis 10/17 Section 3

10/22 Diversification 6 & 7

Round #5

10/29 Structure & Control 8 Round #6 10/31 Section 4

11/5 Structure & Control 8 Round #7

11/12 Alliances 9 Round #8 11/14 Section 5

11/19 M&A 10 Begin Comp-XM

11/26 Game Debrief Group Capstone paper dueComp-XM completed

11/16 Final paper

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Grading Policy

Group Assignments Capstone 15% Presentation 20%Individual Assignments Firm Strategic Analysis 35% Exercises, Quizzes, and Participation 15% Comp-XM 15%

100%

A+: 97 and up A: 94-96 A-: 90-93B+: 87-89 B: 84-86 B-: 80-83C+: 77-79 C: 74-76 C-: 70-73D+: 67-69 D: 64-66 D-: 60-63F Below 60%

Group Assignments

Capstone Simulation

The Capstone simulation will be conducted with students organized into groups that will represent separate firms within an industry. Every firm begins from the same starting point, but will compete based on various decisions made within your group. We will begin with some practice rounds first against the computer, then against the other groups to learn to play the game, and hopefully identify some fatal strategies. After that point, the simulation results count toward your final grade. As the simulation continues, each group will keep a record of decisions made, and the specific strategic reasons for those decisions. Simulations are fun, but take the competition seriously – there are winners and losers in this game!

When the simulation ends, each group will prepare a final report (to be approximately 10 double-spaced, typed pages) that outlines actions taken throughout the life of the simulation. The report should include at a minimum (see rubric):

1. The firm’s mission statement.2. Original strategic plan.3. An environmental analysis – compare the status at the beginning and the end of the

semester.4. An internal analysis of strengths and weaknesses – compare the position of the firm at the

beginning and the end of the semester.5. Deviations/alterations to the strategic plan throughout the simulation.6. A listing and description of all decisions made, including assumptions made and

justifications for the decisions.7. Evaluation of the firm’s successes and failures. What decisions were correct? What

should have been done differently? What strategies should be implemented for the future success of the firm?

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Characteristic AssessedExcel-lent Good Fair Missing

Mission Statement 10 8 6 0 Graphic Directional Flexible Focused

External Analysis Stakeholder Analysis 10 8 6 0 Competitive Analysis 10 8 6 0

Internal Analysis Value Chain Analysis 10 8 6 0 Financial Analysis 10 8 6 0

Generic Strategy Generic strategy fit 10 8 6 0 Explanation of variance from strategy 10 8 6 0

Culture 5 4 3 0

Leadership 5 4 3 0

Implementation 10 8 6 0

Paper Format & Presentation 10 8 6 0 Organization/Continuity Writing Style/Technical Quality Format/Spelling/Grammar

Each firm group will then make a final presentation to the class regarding their final firm report. Assume that you are top management making this presentation to the board of directors at the annual shareholders meeting. Be able to defend your decisions and assumptions.

Finally, you will individually and confidentially grade each member of your team on participation and level of contributions. The peer evaluations will affect the individual’s group grades.

Grading for the simulation will be as follows:

15% Final report

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Group Presentations

For one class meeting each week, a group will run the class. These class meetings should NOT be the usual power point presentation, with each member speaking. They should be dynamic, fun, and engaging. You will be required to generate participation among your fellow students – this can be in the form of a game show (Jeopardy, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? for example), role plays, field trips etc. Be creative. We have all heard many power point presentations, therefore, do something that is different, gets the point across, and includes everyone.

Individual Assignments

Exercises, Quizzes and Participation

You will be completing and submitting several exercises as assigned. Most of these will be completed in class. In addition, we will have some random quizzes. These will be short answer style. The class participation component means that you must come to class prepared to discuss and participate.

Comp-XM

In the final week of the course, you will participate in Comp-XM, an individualized version of Capstone. This simulation consists of 4 rounds of play – you against the computer. There are no round deadlines, but there is a final deadline, so that this will be self-paced. Comp-XM will ask you questions specific to your individual simulation, and calculate a grade based on your responses. Be sure that you fully participate in your group Capstone simulation so that you are prepared for the individual version.

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Individual Firm Strategic Analysis

Choose a firm from the Dallas Morning News Top 200 for your analysis. These firms are headquartered in the Dallas area and there is quite a bit of information available in the newspaper. The paper will consist of 5 sections, (minimum 3 pages each section, exclusive of tables & graphs) to be submitted by the deadlines listed below. This project will require library database research, research on news affecting the firm, and possibly visits, phone calls, and written communication to the firm.

A: Turn in 2 copies of each paper section. One copy will be graded by a writing tutor for written communication as follows:

Course Learning Goal: Students will develop competency in written communications. Each student will complete a minimum of 15 pages of double-spaced written assignments in this course, which will be graded by writing tutors using 3 rubrics, each with a total possible 10 points. The failing papers will be rewritten with corrections by the students. Rewritten papers must be submitted no later than one week after the graded papers are distributed by the instructor.

1. Students will write a firm case analysis draft, using appropriate organization, mechanics, & style.

a. Grading will utilize the below rubric:

Criteria 0 1 2 TotalGrammar Several grammar

errorsOne or two errors

No mistakes

Spelling Multiple spelling errors

One or two errors

No spelling errors

Word Choice Below average word choices

Good word choices

Excellent word choices

Paragraph/Sentence Organization and Flow

Poor organization Good organization

Very well organized

Professional Style Poor Acceptable ExcellentTotal Points 10

b. Criteria for rewriting is as follows:i. A paper scoring a zero in any of the five criteria must be

rewritten.ii. For all papers totaling 6 or under, the paper must be rewritten.

iii. For all papers totaling 5 or under, the student must make an appointment with the writing tutor.

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2. Students will write a firm case analysis draft, gathering, incorporating and interpreting source material in their writing.

a. Grading will utilize the below rubric:

Criteria 0 1 2-3 TotalCitation of Sources, In Text

Missing citations Minor errors in citations

Correct citation of sources

Works Cited Page Missing entries Minor errors Correct citationIncorporation of quotations

Floating quotations Slightly choppy integration

Seamless integration

Presentation of data Numerical data mixed in paragraph form

Some use of tables & charts

Clear tables & charts

Total Points 10

b. Criteria for rewriting is as follows:i. A paper scoring a zero in any of the five criteria must be

rewritten.ii. For all papers totaling 6 or under, the paper must be rewritten.

iii. For all papers totaling 5 or under, the student must make an appointment with the writing tutor.

3. Students will write a firm case analysis draft, using effective written arguments.a. Grading will utilize the below rubric:

Criteria 0 1 2-3 TotalThesis statement Thesis not

identifiedThesis stated but not precisely

Thesis is clearly stated

Evidence presented No supporting evidence

Support is vague Evidence logically supports argument

Argument Flow and Organization

Poor organization

Good organization Very Well organized

Solutions proposed No solutions offered

Solutions are vague Solutions are specific

Total Points 10

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B. The second copies will be graded for content as you submit them. Those grades will be conditional. At the end of the semester, you will submit all 5 papers bound as a complete firm analysis and append an introduction and conclusion. At this point, all writing errors will have been corrected, and you may address deficiencies highlighted in the initial section submission.

Firm Choice

Due8/29

Section 1

Due 9/19

External analysis of the firm. Discuss the external environment of the firm including an analysis of the impact of the stakeholders.Discuss the competitive environment of the firm in detail.

Section 2

Due 10/3

Internal analysis of the firm.Start with analyzing the mission statement. Then complete a comprehensive financial analysis. You will be using the Pasewark workbook for the financial analysis. Next, perform a value chain analysis of the firm, based on the financials and other research. Finally, identify and analyze the competitive advantages of the firm.

Section 3

Due 10/17

Identify the generic strategy of the firm and evaluate the fit with the competitive environment and competitive advantages. Explain any variation from the firm’s stated strategy and he strategy as implemented.

Section 4

Due 10/31

Discuss and evaluate other strategies the firm is pursuing, such as diversification, international operations, or alliances.

Section 5

Due 11/14

Describe the structure and control systems in use by the firm and evaluate the fit with implementing the generic strategy. This means identifying strategic problems.

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Complete Analysis

Due 11/26

Submit the following: Correct and emend your 5 sections Add an introduction Add a conclusion including recommendations for the firm’s strategic plan.

Characteristic AssessedExcel-lent Good Fair Missing

External Analysis External Environment & Stakeholder Analysis 10 8 6 0 Competitive Analysis 10 8 6 0

Internal Analysis Mission Statement Analysis 10 8 6 0 Financial Analysis 10 8 6 0 Value Chain Analysis 10 8 6 0 Competitive Analysis 10 8 6 0

Generic Strategy Generic strategy fit & explanation of variance 10 8 6 0

Other Strategic Options 5 4 3 0 Diversification International Business Alliances

Implementation 5 4 3 0 Culture Structure Control Systems

Strategic Recommendations 10 8 6 0

Paper Format & Presentation 10 8 6 0 Organization/Continuity Writing Style/Technical Quality Format/Spelling/Grammar

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Course PoliciesMake-up examsThere are no make up quizzesExtra CreditNoneLate WorkLate assignments will not be accepted

Class AttendanceYou are required to attend class. This course is your course – your input will determine your outcomes. Therefore, exclusive of the participation grade, you are allowed 2 excused absences. After that, each absence results in a reduction of 5 points from your total grade.

Classroom CitizenshipRespect your fellow students – turn off cell phones, no talking amongst yourselves, try to be on time. It is easiest to contact me outside of class via e-mail. If necessary, we can make appointments if before class or after class meetings are not sufficient. Please be sure that I have a way to contact you (e-mail address, phone number). In the past I have had reasons to contact students (for example, I have received papers missing pages). Unclaimed papers will be retained for one year.

Group Rules

All groups have hiring and firing capabilities. Individuals have the ability to resign a group. However, every student must belong to a group. If you have conflicts with your group, you may resign – but you must interview and find a position with another group. Conversely, groups may discharge members, but the students fired from a group must find another group. I have found this method greatly reduces social loafing. You will be evaluated by your peers – no slackers allowed! At the end of the semester, each student will rate the performance of their fellow team members. This rating will be used to determine for individual student grades for group assignments.

Field Trip Policies / Off-Campus Instruction and Course ActivitiesYou may find it necessary to visit the firm of your choice for your paper. Those visits are to be individually scheduled by you.

Student groups may choose a field trip for their group presentations – please discuss with me.

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year.

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The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

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The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.

Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22PO Box 830688

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Richardson, Texas 75083-0688(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.

Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website address given below. Additional information is available from the office of the school dean. (http://www.utdallas.edu/Business Affairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm)

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These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

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